Preliminary Findings:
The main preliminary finding is that “social networks and NOT social media” seem to be central in mobilizing and connecting protest participants. ‘Ordinary Citizens’ are motivated to join more by personal contacts, telephone calls, and e-mails, rather than Facebook and VKontakte invites. Secondly, the average age of protesters is 36.

Significance:
These findings are highly significant because it goes against the mainstream opinion of the media and other analysts who are focusing on the “power of Facebook and hashtags” as well as, on the student or “millennials” revolution.