Hackers have always been involved in politics in some way, even if they didn't do so willingly. The GPL itself is a very bold political statement and as RMS has

Hackers have always been involved in politics in some way, even if they didn't do so willingly. The GPL itself is a very bold political statement and as RMS has remarked "Even if you're not interested in politics, politics is interested in you!" (paraphrased).