Change Gets Hacked

Last week I wrote an action alert about the wrongful imprisonment of Chinese artist Ai Wei Wei (below), with a link to a Change.org petition calling for his release. Yesterday, just before my article was to be posted on Reality Sandwich, we were notified about a cyber attack on Change.org. The attack was complicated, coordinated and completely overwhelmed the servers of Change.org, immediately taking down the site (which is still down). The petition was decidedly against the actions of the Chinese government and was the initial target of the attack. While the Chinese government is claiming innocence, the nature and sophistication of the attack coupled with the fact that China has an impenetrable government firewall, indicate foul play.

Although the perpetrator may never surface, we must not lose sight of the injustice that Ai Wei Wei is still facing. China's officials still haven't released information on his whereabouts, and no contact has been made with the artist since April 3rd.

For more detailed information about the attacks please read these articles:

http://hyperallergic.com/23090/hackers-attack-petition/

http://www.baycitizen.org/politics/story/hackers-attack-sf-startup-hosting-ai/

For updates about rallies, protests and news about Ai Wei Wei please check out this site:

http://freeaiweiwei.org/

The Action Alert from last week:

"On April 3rd Ai Wei Wei, a famous Chinese artist and human rights activist, was detained in Beijing Airport. While the Chinese Government states he is being held for, "economic crimes," many suspect that it is because of his call for human rights in China. Not only has Ai Wei Wei been detained, but also many of his family members and friends have been brought in on similar 'charges.'

In the past month dozens of political activists have been jailed without cause, echoing the Government's ban on dissent. Human Rights are of vital importance to any modern nation. As members of a global community We must stand up for those that desire these basic rights." 

Image by laihiu on Flickr courtesy of Creative Commons