perhaps these were symbolic breadcrums after you revealed your allegiance with the people instead of the corporation?

if true, this helps explain why you have a hard time finding an IT related job.

if true, this insight may help you find a job by selectively applying for IT work at civil right-ish places (EFF, small civil right-ish law firms, etc ...) as they may be less prone to discriminate on your past "offences", with the upshot that you might feel more at home in such a job than elsewhere?