Meet Time's 'Person of the Year'...'The Protester

NEW YORK (The Blaze/AP) -- "The Protester" has been named Time's "Person of the Year" for 2011.

The selection was announced Wednesday on NBC's "Today" show.

The magazine cited dissent across the Middle East that has spread to Europe and the United States, and says these protesters are reshaping global politics.

"From the Arab Spring to Athens, from Occupy Wall Street to Athens," the cover says.

Last year, Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg got the honor.

Time's "Person of the Year" is the person or thing that has most influenced the culture and the news during the past year for good or for ill. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke received the honor in 2009. The 2008 winner was then-President-elect Barack Obama. Other previous winners have included Bono, President George W. Bush, and Amazon.com CEO and founder Jeff Bezos.

Time said it is recognizing protesters because they are "redefining people power" around the world. On its website, it even includes profiles of protesters, including multiple Occupy Wall Street occupiers.

However, it does seem odd that the magazine would recognize such a "person." Consider that thousands have been arrested in the Occupy movement, Arab Spring protesters in Egypt have raped several female journalists, UK youths screamed "Off with their heads!" at Prince Charles, and Greek rioters have been filmed firebombing police.

This story has been updated with new information.