The Westboro Baptist Church is rejoicing in the death of Aaaron Swartz. According to a Jan. 12 MSN News article, Swartz was found dead in his apartment on Jan. 11. The death has been ruled a suicide by hanging.
Aaaron was one of the founders of the news sharing website Reddit, but was asked to resign after the company was acquired by Conde Nast. Swartz faced legal troubles related to computer fraud and illegally downloading material. Aaron faced 13 felony charges.
However, many viewed Swartz as an activist. His friend Cory Doctorow praised Aaron for his hacking skills and activism. Doctorow said Aaron, “did more than almost anyone to make the Internet a thriving ecosystem for open knowledge and to keep it that way.”
Cory also said that Swartz struggled with depression for years. Aaron even wrote about the darkness he felt and suicidal thoughts on his blog.
The Westboro Baptist Church has added hackers to the long list of people they are against after Anonymous made private information about members public last month. WBC tweeted joy over Swartz death from their official account @WBCSays on Jan. 12.
“Praise God! Cowardly enemies of God's church. Aaron Swartz, hacker, killed himself,” the WBC wrote.
Do you think the Westboro folks will picket the funeral of Aaron Swartz?
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