Anonymous Threatens to ‘Erase’ NYSE with Operation Invade Wall Street (VIDEO)

The hacktivist group known only as Anonymous is at it again, and this time they’re planning something big.

In a pair of videos uploaded to YouTube, Anonymous has declared “war” on the New York Stock Exchange and is vowing to “erase” the NYSE from the internet on Monday, October 10, 2011.

As the Occupy Wall Street protests entered its third week in New York, Anonymous has announced Operation Invade Wall Street.

“On Oct. 10, NYSE shall be erased from the Internet. On Oct. 10, expect a day that will never, ever be forgotten,” says a computer-generated voice common in the video below.

“The FBI is aware of these schemes and threats and is looking into the matter,” says FBI spokesman Tim Flannelly.

The hacker group says they plan to launch a DDoS (distributed denial of service) attack on the NYSE’s website, making it virtually inaccessible.

Anonymous has also separately said that the NYSE announcement is a hoax, so at this point, it’s not clear whether this is an official effort by Anonymous, or a rogue group of hackers.

October 10th is Columbus Day, so one has to wonder what’s to be gained by attacking the NYSE on a day when many people will be off and the markets will be closed.

That, in itself, makes it likely that this is a hoax.

Still, the FBI isn’t taking any chances.

“It is a crime to show the intent to carry out a hack when you are in possession of software or computer applications to do so and we take it seriously,” Flannelly said.

A digital flier has been posted online with the banner “Operation Invade Wall Street: This is not an occupation. This is an invasion.”

The operation is set to begin on October 10th at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Videos and transcripts below.

Transcript of Media Announcement:

Greetings, institutions of the media.

We are Anonymous.

The events transpiring within Wall Street have caught our eye.

It seems that the government and federal agencies enjoy enforcing the law a little bit too much. They instate unjust laws as mindless automatons, blindly following orders with soulless precision.

We witness the government enforcing the laws that punish the 99 percent while allowing the 1 percent to escape justice, unharmed, for their crimes against the people.

We have observed this same government failing to enforce even the minimal legal restraints of Wall Street’s abuses. This government who has willingly ignored the greed at Wall Street has even bailed out the perpetrators that have caused our crisis.

We will not stand by and watch the system take over our way of life.

We the people shall stand against the government’s inaction.

We the people will not be witnesses to your corruption and ill-gotten profits.

We will not labor for your leisure.

We will not assist you in any way.

This is why we choose to declare our war against the New York Stock Exchange. We can no longer stay silent as the population is being exploited and forced to make sacrifices in the name of profit.

We will show the world that we are true to our word. On Oct. 10, NYSE shall be erased from the Internet. On Oct. 10, expect a day that will never, ever be forgotten.

Vox Populi, Vox Anon.

The Voice of The People is The Voice of Anonymous.

We are Legion. We are the 99 percent.

We do not forgive. We do not forget.

Wall Street: Expect us.

Transcript of Public Announcement

Citizens of the World,

We are Anonymous.

A new civil rights movement has begun. Over the past few days, thousands of people have chosen to take a stand against these injustices. The 1% has abused the freedom they have been given. We are taking to the streets to show the wealthy elite that we, the 99%, are no longer going to grease the gears of this abhorrent system.

The lifeblood of the country is the working class, without it our people and our economy will crumble.

Those who sustain present-day colonialism are the enablers of modern-day fascism. Our government has granted hefty tax exemptions to the rich at the cost of our social services. We as taxpayers have served as the multi-billion dollar credit line to the companies and banks that continue to systematically abuse us.

We are forced out of our homes. We are denied medical care. We suffer from poverty and pollution. We work long hours just to stay afloat, while the 1% reap benefits we can only imagine. Our sworn enemy is the corrupted corporation. –We are the 99%.

You have complained that something needs to be done. You now have an opportunity to make a difference. Join the protests. Organize your own. Watch online. Be a part of the movement.

Vox Populi, Vox Anon.

The Voice of The People is the Voice of Anonymous.

We are your voice. We are the 99%.

We do not forgive corruption. We do not forget mistreatment.

Wall Street, Expect us.

Anonymous Denial Statement:

Citizens of the world

We are Anonymous! Recently something very disturbing has come to our attention. You must take all notices and information claiming to be ‘Anonymous’ with a grain of salt. Consider EVERYTHING.

Operation Invade Wall Street is bullsh-t! It is a fake planted operation by law enforcement and cyber crime agencies in order to get you to undermine the Occupy Wall Street movement. It proposes you use depreciated tools that have known flaws such as LOIC.

Anonymous would never tell you to use LOIC – Not after the arrests and failures of Operation Payback.

Anonymous wouldn’t attack NYSE on a HOLIDAY – It is debatable if Anonymous would ever even attack NYSE.

Be wary friends!

We are Anonymous
We are Legion
We do not Forgive
We do not Forget
Expect Us
Be wary of imitations!