2011 will be remembered most of all as the year of people power, with unprecedented numbers of ordinary citizens taking to the streets throughout the world to protest against old systems of power. Here we share a few images of these protests, all posted under a Creative Commons license on the photo sharing site Flickr.
Cairo, Egypt – Tens of thousands of Egyptians camp out in Tahrir Square amid protests calling for the resignation of president Hosni Mubarak and new elections. Photographer: Rowan El Shimi.
Tirana, Albania – A protester stands in front of government buildings during anti-government protests sparked by the surfacing of a video which implicated the Deputy Prime Minister and Economic Minister in corruption allegations. Three protesters died in the demonstrations, which led to the resignation of the Deputy Prime Minister. Photographer: Godo Godaj
Athens, Greece – A protester wearing a gas mask is engulfed in tear gas. Protests against a raft of austerity measures being voted on by Greek lawmakers on the day turned violent, as protesters clashed with police. Photographer: Odysseas Gp
Sana’a, Yemen – Tens of thousands of protesters take to the streets on the first Friday of Ramadan, braving the midday heat to demonstrate their opposition to the regime of president Ali Abdullah Saleh. Money was passed forward – collected in upturned umbrellas – to be distributed to victims of violent clashes elsewhere in Yemen. Photographer: Al Jazeera English
New York City, USA – Two demonstrators create protest signs in Zucotti Park as part of Occupy Wall Street, a movement in opposition to the global financial system. Photographer: Caroline Schiff
Bangalore, India – Protesters wear masks of anti-corruption campaigner Anna Hazare during a rally. Hazare carried out a series of hunger strikes in protest against local and government corruption, which generated considerable national support. Photographer: Chenthil Mohan
Algiers, Algeria – Protesters and police throw stones during demonstrations sparked by rising food prices. The Algerian government slashed taxes on sugar and other food stuffs in response. Photographer: Magharebia
Madison, USA – Protesters redecorate a statue outside the Wisconsin State Capitol Building during protests against proposed budget cuts and restrictions on public sector union rights. Photographer: Dave Hoefler
Madrid, Spain – Thousands gather at the Campa da Sol in the centre of Madrid to protest against rising unemployment and government mismanagement. Photographer: César Astudillo
London, England – Protesters spray paint an image of prime minister David Cameron’s face during a march against government imposed budget cuts. Photographer: Matthew Taylor
Cairo, Egypt – Tens of thousands gather in Tahrir Square to demonstrate their determination to see through proposed reforms in the wake of Hosni Mubarak’s stepping down as president. Photographer: Rowan El Shimi
Manama, Bahrain – Jubilant pro-democracy protesters reclaim the Pearl Roundabout from security forces, having been violently evicted from the site days earlier. A month later the roundabout was destroyed as officials moved to brutally crush the popular uprising. Photographer: Mahmood Al-Yousif
Qalandia Checkpoint, Palestine – A protest march at the checkpoint situated between Ramallah and Jerusalem turned violent as the Israeli army tried to disperse the protesters with tear gas. Photographer: Omar Robert Hamilton
Washington DC, USA – Police arrest a demonstrator during a protest against provisions of a Congressional budget deal. Photographer: Andrew Bossi
Casablanca, Morocco – Anti-riot police break up a demonstration organised by the February 20 movement calling for government reform. Photographer: Magharebia
Madison, USA – A protester wearing a Guy Fawkes mask, symbol of the Anonymous and LulzSec movements, stages a counter demonstration against a member of the Westboro Baptist Church. Photographer: Ken Fager
Madrid, Spain – Two protesters hold hands during demonstrations in October. Tens of thousands took to the streets across Spain to protest against rising unemployment and government mismanagement. Photographer: Alberto Fanego Díez (©)