Source Summary: Anon News Operation: Invade Wall Street

You can read the press release from Anonymous here.

The arguments in this release are few and far between, but the main points are:

• Police enforcement has become too extreme; they seem to "enjoy their jobs too much," meaning they savor the use of violence
• References to the "99%" or economically oppressed majority; claims the laws protect the "1%"
• "Declares war" against the New York Stock Exchange, sets the date for 10/10/12

Style Notes:

• Very little sourcing or citation in arguments; essentially a pathetic argument
• More propagandistic than argumentative; designed to incite rage among readers
• Likely directed to "preach to the choir."
• Various discrepancies from usual form; the motto, in particular, has been added to, to include "We are the 99%...Wall Street, Expect Us."

Written Summary:

The most recent press release by a branch of Anonymous relates mainly to “Operation Invade Wall Street,” a program that operates in conjunction with the Occupy Wall Street movement. It is addressed to the “Institutions of the Media,” in the form of a letter; however, further reading reveals it to be more of a preaching to the choir scenario. The writers- who remain anonymous, of course- claim that law enforcement and intelligence agencies in the United States use too much force, or are “enjoying their work a little too much.” Along with this claim comes another, that public institutions pass corrupt laws to support the oppressive “1%” which exploit the “99%” or majority of the public. Rather than arguments, these claims are stated as fact with very little evidence backing them up. Nevertheless, the release goes on to declare a “popular war against the New York Stock Exchange,” citing corruption and public institutions’ support of this corruption as reasons. Then, Anonymous states forebodingly that the date, the 10th of October, on which their popular war will take place, will never be forgotten. Finally, they close with the classic Anonymous motto, with two addendums; “We are the 99%... Wall Street: Expect us.” Though there are few claims and less of an argument to substantiate them, as a piece of propaganda, the press release is very effective. Using recent events as a catalyst, the article continues to build fury within its supporters by using pathetic rhetoric to incite anger. Therefore, as an advertisement, rather than a letter, it becomes a very valuable source.