Perplexing problem this thing about what "appropriate response" is.
One the one hand you have folks that want to protest peacefully and do just that. On the other you have scattered among them these other folks that, due to whatever agenda that motivates them, want to protest violently, whether it be for revenge, for spite, for fun and excitement, for free stuff that they otherwise couldn't afford, for satisfying pyromaniacal urges.....you name it, it's all in that crowd, and the cops have to treat each individual in that mass of humanity that they have been tasked to keep civil when civil disobedience is somehow lawful with....due diligence and restraint?
Clever how these folks with malicious intent hide themselves among the innocent just as Hamas hides among the innocent to pursue their own agenda.
So how does a police force use appropriate action when to administer such action requires them to use respect and restraint on the innocent ones in the crowd and in this very same crowd of people, use "tough love" on the ones that are there to loot, spread hatred and discontent, and "get even" with the cops?
Now add to that the broadcast media in the crowd who not only wish to get the "scoop" but get right in there with the crowd for some ratings winning action footage, and as a result stir things up even further as the media hounds in the crowd is encouraged to get even more boisterous and animated to oblige the vid cams that will get them their moment of fame on national/worldwide news.
I really can't see how the police can separate individuals from a crowd that has taken on the mentality of a unified body wanting to protect itself as an autonomous entity, so I don't think folks wanting the police to do just that are being realistic about it.
One would think that protesting in the dark of night is risky business considering how the ones who want to hide in a crowd to commit crimes would prefer the cover of darkness and would therefore be out in force at that time.
So in that sense, if one chooses to protest under those conditions, they should also be willing to accept the dire circumstances that go along with that choice.
IDK, maybe I'm being too distant and logical to form an appropriate opinion on this matter, but it seems to me if you want to participate in a protest, you can't expect the police to treat you as an individual AND enjoy the security that a crowd of like minded folks provide for you at the same time, especially when the malicious ones in your crowd are using that security against you.
Facebook
Twitter