G20 Protesters: Colorful, Creative, But Downright Serious

RTR4E326 — G20 Protesters: Protesters, wearing masks depicting G20 leaders, and dressed as Australian surf lifesavers call for global equality among nations outside the site of the venue of the annual G20 leaders summit in Brisbane, November 14, 2014. Leaders of the top 20 industrialized nations will gather in Brisbane November 15-16 for their annual G20 summit. The leaders depicted are (L-R), South African President Jacob Zuma, China's President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Reuters/Jason Reed

World leaders convened in Brisbane, Australia for the 2014 G20 economic summit on Friday and were greeted not only by posh lunches but also by hundreds of protesters. The summit, which usually ends without many binding decisions being made, has become an annual gathering for protests of all shapes and sizes and on all sorts of issues.

From the entertaining, to the elaborate, to the downright serious, here’s some photos of the crowds that greeted the world’s most powerful leaders, including U.S. President Barack Obama, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The best costumes went to this group who made masks caricaturing world leaders. They were dressed as Australian lifeguards and were asking for equality on the world stage:

RTR4E31Q — G20 protesters: Protesters, wearing masks depicting G20 leaders, and dressed as Australian surf lifesavers call for global equality among nations outside the venue site of the annual G20 leaders summit in Brisbane, November 14, 2014. Leaders of the top 20 industrialized nations will gather in Brisbane November 15-16 for their annual G20 summit. The leaders represented are (front row, L-R), U.S. President Barack Obama, Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister David Cameron, (back row, L-R), Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, South African President Jacob Zuma, China's President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Reuters/Jason Reed

RTR4E318 — G20 protesters in Brisbane, Australia. Reuters/Jason Reed

RTR4E34B — G20 protesters in Brisbane Australia. Tony Abbott ready to save a live! Reuters/Jason Reed

This group dressed up in full medical garb to call for more attention and aid for Ebola-stricken nations in West Africa. Some were reportedly aid workers.

RTR4E7TJ — G20 protesters: Aid workers and protesters dressed in protective equipment demonstrate, calling for for G20 leaders to address the Ebola issue, near the G20 leaders summit venue in Brisbane November 15, 2014. Leaders of the top 20 industrialized nations will gather in Brisbane November 15-16 for their annual G20 summit. Reuters/Jason Reed

RTR4E7TL — G20 protesters: A protester dressed in protective equipment demonstrates, calling for for G20 leaders to address the Ebola issue, near the G20 leaders summit venue in Brisbane November 15, 2014. Leaders of the top 20 industrialized nations will gather in Brisbane November 15-16 for their annual G20 summit. Reuters/Jason Reed

This group set out to bring attention to the plight of Australia's Aboriginal community, which has faced racism, poor treatment and abuse in the past. The government has made efforts to support Australia's natives, but often those efforts are far too little to make for lasting change. Aboriginal people make up about 3 percent of the Australian population, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

RTR4E3BL — G20 protesters: A protester demanding human rights for Australia's Aboriginal community wears symbolic shackles as he is draped in the Aboriginal flag near the venue of the annual G20 leaders summit in Brisbane, November 14, 2014. Leaders of the top 20 industrialized nations will gather in Brisbane November 15-16 for their annual G20 summit. Reuters/Jason Reed

RTR4E3B1 — G20 protesters: Paprika Summers holds a banner as she protests for human rights for Australia's Aboriginal community near the venue of the annual G20 leaders summit in Brisbane, November 14, 2014. Leaders of the top 20 industrialized nations will gather in Brisbane November 15-16 for their annual G20 summit. Reuters/Jason Reed

RTR4E3A1 — G20 protesters: Protesters demand human rights for Australia's Aboriginal community near the venue of the annual G20 leaders summit in Brisbane, November 14, 2014. Leaders of the top 20 industrialized nations will gather in Brisbane November 15-16 for their annual G20 summit. Reuters/Jason Reed

Chinese President Xi was called out for his refusal to talk to the Dalai Lama or support an independent Tibet, which China has wrestled with for years:

RTR4E7XL — G20 protesters: Protesters supporting an independent Tibet lie on the ground holding placards as they hold a demonstration near the G20 leaders summit venue in Brisbane November 15, 2014. Leaders of the top 20 industrialized nations gather in Brisbane November 15-16 for their annual G20 summit. Reuters/David Gray

RTR4E7YO — G20 protesters: A protester supporting an independent Tibet holds a placard during a demonstration near the G20 leaders summit venue in Brisbane November 15, 2014. Leaders of the top 20 industrialized nations gather in Brisbane November 15-16 for their annual G20 summit. Reuters/David Gray

On Thursday, a group of protesters gathered to put on an eye-catching protest to bring attention to the lack of environmental topics on the agenda at the G20. They buried their heads in the sand to emulate what they believe world leaders are doing.