Despite wearing one of the infamous Guy Fawkes masks associated with hacking group Anonymous, Russell Bran’s identity was no secret.
The comedian, who recently turned political commentator, joined protestors yesterday in the Million Mask March to unite activists against cuts, corruption and an increase in state surveillance.
The hacktivists marched on Whitehall and Trafalgar Square to ‘spark the movement back into action against the persecution of internet freedom.’
But Russell made the vital mistake of taking off his face during the march, as well as announcing himself via his Twitter account and writing an article in the Guardian, which was posted online just hours before the march.
Brand tweeted: "Whatever party they claim to represent in the day, at night they show their true colours and all go to the same party #MillionMaskMarch."
He was criticised by some for revealing his identity and using his celebrity status to leverage the cause.
Journalist Hugo Rifkind tweeted: "He went to an anonymous protest BUT TOOK OFF HIS MASK SO THAT PEOPLE WOULD KNOW WHO HE WAS."
While another Twitter user said: "’Russell Brand becomes face of Anonymous protest’: YOU’RE DOING IT RONG."
Russell Brand has been making his political standing very clear in recent months. He was guest editor of Progressive Digital Media’s very own New Statesman (unfortunately I didn’t get to meet him despite being in the building!) and pushed his agenda in a special revolution edition of the political magazine as he claimed the current political system was broken.
He also appeared in an interview with Newsnight’s Jeremy Paxman, which has since garnered over 9 million views on YouTube. In the interview the comedian said: "I don’t get my authority from this pre-existing paradigm which is quite narrow and only serves a few people. I look elsewhere for alternatives that might be of service to humanity. Alternate means, alternate political systems."
Is Brand using his celebrity status to wield his own political agenda, or is he helping to draw attention to just causes with the likes of Anonymous?
