I agree a DDoS is not hacking, and I quickly looked and didn't see the terms hack or hacking in any of the articles(I could be wrong though as I only looked for a minute).
In any case I think this probably boils down to intent. If the intent was to take down the server, it's CFAA, if the intent is a non destructive protest then it's not.
In any case I think this probably boils down to intent. If the intent was to take down the server, it's CFAA, if the intent is a non destructive protest then it's not.