College Student Twitters Arrest in Egypt

April 16, 2008 · Comments

“Arrested.” That’s what 29 year old James Karl Buck sent from his phone out to the world via Twitter the other day. It seems Buck was snapping photos of a demonstration, and police collected him up and put him in jail.

It turns out that his message on Twitter caused his network of friends to reach out, call around, and get people mobilized to help. There’s tons more to the story.

Greg Barnett sent me a message on Twitter reporting this news article about James Karl Buck. Steve Rhodes from Twitter sent me the link to Buck’s website. **UPDATE: Buck is @jamesbuck on Twitter, and his Flickr photos are here. (All those updates come from @tigerbeat / Steve Rhodes).

What’s important about this story? Everything. Twitter has a powerful ability to move people to action, to deliver help where it’s needed, and more. If a messaging platform can free a man from prison, what else can it do for YOU?

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  • In prison? Is not possible for use Twitter.
  • gregory
    i don't believe this... if arrested, his cellphone would be immediately taken.
  • Hi twittered "arrested," but perhaps he was legally detained. Good point, though, Gregory and Http500. You've got his twitter name, his website, and his flickr site. Feel free to investigate further. : )
  • I hear others concern if the story is true or not and I am not one who can verify it, but I think the content of this post is what's relevant as to the use that comes from being apart of twitter. It made me think about the connection that Twitter has with its users to the point it may be able to get someone help when needed. Maybe this guy was able to Twitter a post right before he was taken in. Maybe someone else Twittered for him, I don't know but Chris (thank you again for you attention to the relevant) has written this post, at least this is what I got from it, to show just how people can use these social networks in a way to debunk the many who try to criticize people's so call "obsession" with networks such as Twitter. I personally do not care what people think of my social network use but going along with the idea of content, I do enjoy reading when something proves its useful for the better of the whole.

    Thanks Chris
  • Always good to see that Twitter can, and does, mobilize. Be it helping someone arrested or for other causes.

    Thanks for posting this, Chris.
  • Microblogs are indeed extremely powerfull: they are the first instant global media in the history of humankind.

    Feedback is the key to any success, because success means you're getting people to react to what you're saying.

    Microblogs are making it possible a message goes global in less then five minutes.

    Twitter, Jaiku, Pownce and Tumblr

    but also

    Fanfou, Snockles, Khaces, Fritsi, Meemi, Gozub, Nolyo, Me2day.net, Noumba.net, Dukudu.de, Feecle.jp, Komoo.cn, Blip.pl, Smspr.ru, Numpa.nl

    and many, many others
  • Wow, an amazing story of the power of Twitter, regardless of who actually sent the tweet. Definitely a tool to add to the advocate's /activist's toolbox.
  • When oh when will Twitter be able to wash and fold my laundry?
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