— DreamHost (@DreamHost) August 14, 2017
According to DreamHost, #DisruptJ20's web host, after it chose to challenge the request, the DOJ then chose to file a motion asking for an order to compel the web hoster to produce its records.
"The request from the DOJ demands that DreamHost hand over 1.3 million visitor IP addresses — in addition to contact information, email content, and photos of thousands of people — in an effort to determine who simply visited the website," the Los Angeles-based host said in a blog post.
"That information could be used to identify any individuals who used this site to exercise and express political speech protected under the Constitution's First Amendment," DreamHost's post added. "That should be enough to set alarm bells off in anyone's mind."
Dated July 12, the Justice Department's search warrant suggested the request was connected to protests that took place during US President Donald Trump's inauguration. Incidentally, #DisruptJ20 played a vital role in helping to organize the January 20 gathering.
According to the warrant, the government is hoping to seize any information connected to the inauguration day protests that constitutes "fruits, evidence and instrumentalities" of violations to the Capital City's code governing riots. More than 200 protesters were arrested and indicted on felony riot charges January 20.
"In essence, the search warrant not only aims to identify the political dissidents of the current administration, but attempts to identify and understand what content each of these dissidents viewed on the website," Chris Ghazarian, the company's general counsel, said in the legal argument.
A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Friday in Washington, DC, as the company hopes to "protect the identities of thousands of unwitting internet users."
"DreamHost did the right thing," the Electronic Frontier Foundation told Sputnik News. "It stood up for its users."
