The city lay besieged by thousands of protestors who voiced outrage and despair over the current state of the world economy. Organized by an umbrella group, “G20 Meltdown,” the protestors seek to bring attention to preserved ecological, political, and economic problems. It cites capitalism and greed as primarily responsible for the current global economic downturn. But the protests were not limited to the streets of ancient London —cyberspace has been co-opted as a potent gathering place for dissidents.

Social media tools were used widely to coordinate the activities surrounding the G20 protests. In particular, Twitter—the online blogging tool—was used to inform participants of activities and developments. Twitter is accessible via handheld devices like cell phones and is thus perfectly adapted to mass organizing.

Marina Pepper, an organizer of G-20 Meltdown, details the use of social media during the protests. "In terms of mobilizing people and shifting them around, Twitter will be used next week,” says Pepper.

Pepper explains that online networking sites, such as MySpace and Facebook, have fundamentally changed protest organizational efforts. Networks can be created of like-minded individuals and then utilized for current and future protests. ‘"In terms of getting the knowledge out there, the fact that you can back it up with movies, links and photographs makes it a very powerful tool. It's a form of collective consciousness."’

The G-20 Meltdown has its own Twitter Profile, where followers are able receive a constant stream of updates from amid the protests. One blog post, created at approximately 11 AM ET today states, “RBS and Bank of England stormed. That's what happens when you kettle people. Riot coppers edging closer. Gulp.”

The G20 Meltdown is just one of many Twitter members communicating throughout the protests. The Telegraph, reported today on a “caped “superhero”, calling himself Megamouth,” who was using a megaphone to shout messages that people had posted on his Twitter page.

Facebook has also been heavily utilized as a networking tool for protesters. G20 Meltdown has a Facebook group with more than 3,000 members-- . The site serves as a forum for debate and as a hub for organizational efforts of members. On Facebook, lively ideological arguments play out next to a list of groups’ objectives and all users are identified by names and photographs. Ready access to such technology makes it very easy for protesters to communicate and plan; easy access to that same technology grants authorities an edge in countering and preparing for dissident action.

CNN cites Commander Simon O'Brien, a senior officers involved in G20 security efforts as stating that social networking sites would be a "key area of our intelligence gathering." From sites such as Twitter and Facebook, authorities are able to learn a lot about group intentions and plans. "It's very Big Brother," says Pepper. "The idea that the information that you put out can then be used out of context at a later date is incredibly scary. It's not that I mind the government reading my Facebook page, it's just that I don't trust them with the information because I think they lack a sense of humor more than anything. People have to have freedom of expression."

Additionally, many videos have also been posted on video-sharing sites like YouTube. Videos posted include Call out video for the G20 summit counter-mobilisation 28th March - 2nd April,  DotGoC! 8 of 16: Police Attack Students, 18:14-, and Dancing on the Grave of Capitalism Protest London 31 Oct Canary Wharf.

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Christian A. Howieson

Christian@politicsonline.com