The internet activist group Anonymous has responded to Twitter taunts from the Ku Klux Klan by taking over its US Twitter account.

Photograph: Twitter

The Twitter spat began after the KKK allegedly threatened protesters in Ferguson, Missouri, as the area awaits an imminent court decision over the killing of Michael Brown, an unarmed black 18-year-old, by a white police officer.



The KKK began a war of intimidation by threatening to use lethal force against Ferguson protesters and handing out flyers in the St Louis area.



The KKK passed out flyers in St. Louis (9/10/14) pic.twitter.com/eEDcoOov6d — NBN (@NEELYBYNATURE) October 10, 2014

The group of hackers launched Operation KKK, using #OpKKK to respond to the white supremacist group’s online posts. Operation KKK revealed the identities of Klan members in the St Louis area.



Just remember; This operation is NOT for fun. The reason of this operation is to bring freedom, respect, stop racism and violence. #OpKKK — #OpKKK (@OperationKKK) November 17, 2014

The KKK responded with retweets and mocked Anonymous’s challenges: “Our Kommunity is not at all scared of the threats from anonymous. Just try us. You’ll regret it. #WhitePrideWorldWide.”



Anonymous replied in true vigilante style on Sunday, by taking control of the KKK Twitter account and replacing the logo with its own.



Photograph: Twitter

We have taken control of @KuKluxKlanUSA We told you we would attack back. #OpKKK #HoodsOff — #OpKKK (@OperationKKK) November 16, 2014

Anonymous has tweeted sparingly from the account, but has confirmed it has access to direct messages that confirm the validity of the @KuKluxKlanUSA account and promised a further statement at 3am GMT on 18 November.

