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V For Vendetta and Anonymous
V For Vendetta and Anonymous
By Alan Moore Author On Saturday protests are planned across the world against Acta - the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement. The treaty has become the focus of activists associated with the Anonymous hacking network because of concerns that it could undermine internet privacy and aid censorship. First published in 1982, the comic series V for Vendetta charted a masked vigilante's attempt to bring down a fascist British government and its complicit media. Many of the demonstrators are expected to wear masks based on the book's central character. Ahead of the protests, the BBC asked V for Vendetta's writer, Alan Moore, for his thoughts on how his creation had become an inspiration and identity to Anonymous.
1. Where the Guy Fawkes character represented on the mask comes from:
"Remember, remember, the fifth of November, Gunpowder, treason and plot. We see no reason why Gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot!" Words to Guy Fawkes Rhyme On November 5 people across the UK celebrate Bonfire Night because it's the anniversary of an attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament led by a man called Guy Fawkes. It's called the Gunpowder Plot, and bonfires are lit to burn the "Guy" - a kind of dummy that represents Fawkes. Guy (Guido) Fawkes led the Gunpowder plot in 1605. It was a plan to blow up King James I and his government. Fawkes and his group put 36 barrels of gunpowder in cellars under the Houses of Parliament in London, ready to set off a massive explosion. One member of the group sent a letter to his friend who worked in Parliament, warning him to stay away on November 5. The King's supporters got hold of the letter and the plot was rumbled. Guards broke into the cellars where the gunpowder plotters were waiting. They were arrested, tortured and executed. The Gunpowder Plot was about religion. England was a Protestant country, and the plotters were Catholic. The group wanted to return England to the Catholic faith. They thought they could do this by killing King James I and his ministers.
Today's response to similar oppressions seems to be one that is intelligent, constantly evolving and considerably more humane, and yet our character's borrowed Catholic revolutionary visage and his incongruously Puritan apparel are perhaps a reminder that unjust institutions may always be haunted by volatile 17th century spectres, even if today's uprisings are fuelled more by social networks than by gunpowder. Some ghosts never go away. For the full article go to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16968689