I would call it targeted email. Also, I would think they would want to know that
ICANN was going to take their property off them.As ICANN had allowed all 3 million
plus to use this TLD, effectively giving permission (if needed), it is their responsibility
to email .ORG owners - to warn them.
They did not because they were afraid of the
backlash.
It is an easy matter for ICANN to do email merge for this.