Angry in the Great White North

The G20 Summit in Melbourne, Australia was expected to be a magnet for violent protest:

Advertising Australian police yesterday imposed a draconian security clampdown on the city of Melbourne to isolate anti-globalization protesters from a meeting of the world's most powerful economic leaders.

Police were not taking any chances ahead of today's start of the Group of 20 (G20) meeting of finance ministers and central bank chiefs from the world's leading developed and developing nations.

Protest organizers expect up to 10,000 protesters at a rally today and police remained mindful of the violent demonstrations during a World Economic Forum meeting in 2000.

So just how many people showed up for the protest?

Protesters and police have clashed in central Melbourne streets as anti-G20 activists attack security barricades in a bid to storm the summit venue.

About 2000 protesters - well below the numbers predicted by rally organisers - marched on the venue from the State Library this afternoon.

So the 2000 who showed up had to do all the work themselves:

One report said mounted police had been forced to pull back when activists began kicking at the horses' legs.

So what excuses will these fairweather fighters for social justice give for missing out on this Day of Direct Action Against Fascist Equines?

5. My Internationale alarm clock didn't go off.
4. I was picketing a funeral home. I thought we were attacking hearses.
3. I got a blister on my heel and couldn't wear my kickin' boots.
2. I spotted a fascist seal on the beach and spent the morning stomping it instead.

and the number one reason given for missing the G20 protest...

1. I was expecting a last minute invitation to Tom-Kat's wedding. What? It could happen!

Update

Adding one more:

0. I was busy downloading files from the G20 server. You know? The Electronic Civil Disobedience?

Yeah, ECD. The G20 officials must be quaking at the thought of all those anarchists, each with a mouse in hand, bag of Cheetohs by the keyboard, downloading files. Server load is up to 80%. Quick, raise protective trade tariffs and eliminate all third world debts before it's too late!