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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009
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Facebook Users Hook Up—With Fellow Burmese Monk Backers

300K mobilize through social networking site

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(Newser) – Mammoth networking site Facebook is triggering a massive mobilization of protesters around the world who will hit the streets this weekend in support of the Burmese monks, Wired writes. Nearly 300,000 people have joined the Facebook group "Support the Monks' Protest" since a story on the movement broke last week,  and thousands of those are expected to turn out for marches tomorrow in cities from Taipei to Vienna.

The movement—which some term "open-source politics"—highlights the evolution of the site, which has increasingly become a tool for activists. Over two dozen Facebook volunteers are working with activist organizations on the upcoming protests. "They're able to do things that we can't," said one organization leader. “They've been able to mobilize people.”

The August, 20-27 double issue of Newsweek (on newsstands Monday, August 13),
The August, 20-27 double issue of Newsweek (on newsstands Monday, August 13), "The Facebook Effect" looks at how Facebook, the wildly popular networking site is growing up and facing new challenges to...   (Associated Press)
MARK ZUCKERBERG
MARK ZUCKERBERG   (Getty Images)
a demonstrator for democracy in Myanmar, also known as Burma, yells outside the White House in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007, during a protest. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
a demonstrator for democracy in Myanmar, also known as Burma, yells outside the White House in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007, during a protest. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)   (Associated Press)
In this image released by the Democratic Voice of Burma, people protest against the military government in Yangon Myanmar Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007. It was the eighth day of street demonstrations against the government in Myanmar. (AP Photo/Democratic Voice of Burma, HO)
In this image released by the Democratic Voice of Burma, people protest against the military government in Yangon Myanmar Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007. It was the eighth day of street demonstrations against...   (Associated Press)
In this image released by the Democratic Voice of Burma, Buddhist monks defied orders to stay off the streets and marched against the military government. Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007, in downtown Yangon, Myanmar. It was the eight day of street demonstrations against the government in Myanmar. (AP Photo/Democratic Voice of...
In this image released by the Democratic Voice of Burma, Buddhist monks defied orders to stay off the streets and marched against the military government. Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007, in downtown Yangon,...   (Associated Press)
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