- Photo: Global Revolution Livestream - Jo Harrington/Alex Larder
On September 17, 2011, an international day of action, thousands gathered in the Global Revolution livestream to experience demonstrations through the use of social media. The screen showed real time footage and pre-recorded videos from a variety of protests taking place across the world. Commentators reported in Greek, Spanish, Italian and English, with accents from both sides of the Atlantic. Meanwhile, text in the chat channel moved thick and fast, coming from individuals sourcing information or eye-witnesses typing what they saw.
With social media increasingly seen as an important tool in organising protests, it wasn't long before the chat channel was swamped by counter-demonstrators autotyping abuse and chanting Tea Party slogans.
#OccupyWallStreet and Other Demonstrations in September 2011
September 17, 2011, was marked by protests in New York, Madrid, London and Paris. They followed in the wake of a week of similar mass demonstrations on a global scale. People gathered in the thousands to campaign against anti-austerity measures; the undemocratic influence on governments by wealthy lobbyists; and the monetisation of basic needs, like food, shelter and healthcare. With unemployment and poverty on the rise throughout Europe and North America, the protestors were expressing their desperation or dissatisfaction with their government's economic policies.
In Thessaloniki, Greece, an unnamed 55 year old man set fire to himself, in a banking protest, after his business failed. Police were quick to extinguish the flames and rush him to hospital. In Wroclaw, in Poland, 40,000 demonstrators, organised by trade unions, marched in response to the Eurozone debt crisis. In Edinburgh, Scotland, students furious with increased education fees occupied a theatre lecture. These were just some of the many movements and actions displayed or discussed in the Global Revolution Livestream channel.
Livestream and its Use by Global Revolution on September 17th 2011
Livestream is a website allowing anyone to create a television channel from their home. The streamer has the choice between showing pre-recorded videos, the real time contents of their desktop or connecting to a webcam. In addition, a chat channel shown alongside the screen allows viewers to interact with each other, as they all view the same livestream. It's as much a social occasion, as entertainment or a means to show real time news.
During the Egyptian Revolution, in February 2011, various people had used the Livestream technology to stream from their webcams. The events in Tahrir Square had reached viewers in this way, when many of the mainstream television cameras were kept behind barricades.
On September 17th 2011, before the 3 P.M. start of the Occupy Wall Street protest, in New York City, the Global Revolution chat had a vibrant, but calm atmosphere. Between 800 and 1,500 people were engaged in conversation, which kept the channel busy, yet still readable. Each newcomer announced themselves. There were greetings from Australia, Russia, Bulgaria, Britain, America, Canada and many other countries beside.
The footage was placed into context by those on the ground, while the historical and political background was provided by others. These were not people organising the demonstrations, but those reporting upon it. It was more akin to a learning or shared experience than any real activism.
Tea Party 'Trolls' Enter the Global Revolution Livestream
As soon as the American demonstration began, there was a sudden influx of visitors. The counter quickly rose to 3,000, then 4,000, but the text had been overtaken. Half a dozen names scrolled past, with autotyped messages, so fast that it was difficult to read. 'F**k Communist! F**k Socialism!', 'Tea Party! Tea Party! Tea Party!', 'Hitler had the right idea when he rounded you lot up and put you in camps!', 'No Revolution without Guns!' and 'Ron Paul 2012' were the slogans. They were interspersed with racist comments about Muslims, then about Mexicans, as the live feed switched to the protest in Madrid, Spain.
By half past three, there was no way to even read the text in the chat channel. The autotyped anti-demonstration messages whizzed by so quickly. It was clear that the invaders wanted no freedom of speech nor the ability for anyone to share information in there.
Will the Revolution be Effectively Livestreamed?
The example of Egypt showed how well Livestream could be used for publicising mass movements in real time. The footage was raw, but contextualisation can be applied from within the associated chat channels. However the example of Global Revolution's Livestream also demonstrated how easily the ability to speak can be removed by detractors.
Those wishing to use both media, in streaming future controversial real world events, might do as well to provide an invitation only alternative chat channel.
Sources:
- AFP: Mass Protest as EU Debt Crisis Talks Wrap Up Early. (September 15th 2011.)
- Livestream, Global Revolution. (Personal presence there on September 17th 2011.)
- Press Association, Students in fees protest occupation. (September 16th 2011.)
- Reuters: Greek Man sets Himself on Fire. (September 16th 2011.)
Jo Harrington - Jo has a BA (Hons) in History and Philosophy and a MA in History. She has a book published on the history of Wicca.
