It may be one of the most prolifically documented protests, at least in real time.
Today’s G-20 protests in London reached far beyond the UK, as thousands of protesters, citizens and observers provided breaking updates and commentary through public update broadcast platform Twitter.
Citizen journalists identified their updates through the hashtags #g20 or #g-20, and Twitter’s search tool allowed for immediate discovery. The protests come a day before the international meeting of the world’s most influential leaders.
Evanthia Georgiou, twittering as @evanthiiia, provided minute-by-minute updates, ranging from the somber,
#g20 excessive police presence at both ends has dampened the mood somewhat, many protesters feeling general unease,
to the upbeat:
#g20 girl freestyling has lifted spirits here!
John Amaechi, a former NBA player and New York Times bestselling author known on Twitter as @Meech13, said:
@lgaines_ross I have stayed far away from central London. it is a MESS out there. Also, afraid to wear a suit for fear of anti-G20 attack.
Amaechi later elaborated to me on the details:
@RachelSterne It isn’t all anarchy. Many people enthused with Obama a smaller number NOT happy with debt, spending and environmental neglect
Professional journalists used the rapid broadcast tool, too. Paul Lewis of The Guardian was at the protests, and stated that:
I’ve just seen a girl unconscious being carried away, her whole face drenched in blood. This obv whipping up real anger
Not all Twitter coverage, however, has been serious. James Faragher, or @jammyf, posted the following:
http://twitpic.com/2omsu – My G20 protest. I can hear the police sirens already.
Comedian Russel Brand, an active Twitterer as @rustyrockets, attended the protests, but didn’t twittered a word from the scene.
But this hasn’t stopped his fans and critics from engaging in heated Twitter debate on the meaning of his involvement.
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