zlacker

>>oftenw+(OP)
I was observing the BLM protest in DT Renton today.

The Renton PD seemed to employ a "out of plain sight" approach.

Patrol vehicles strategically placed, a few uniform officers were near occassionally chatting with protestors, and patrol vehicles driving by the scene.

At one point a team of bicycle cops appeared out of no where rode through along side the protestors.

Each "side" seemed to be respectful of each other.

The approach of the Renton Police Department not antagonizing the protestors had it's intended effect--the protestors protested peacefully. In fact, when police vehicles flashed lights, or chirped sirens in support of the protestors, the protestors cheered in support back.

>>balls1+FF
It seems to me that almost every violent protest/riot started peaceful but then police make it violent.

I have seen this so many times where police stay out of the way and everything goes smoothly. I think US police actually want a riot. They want to create violence.

>>Polyla+jG
The aim is usually to end the protest locally and generally. Often one way to do this is to turn it into a riot. This makes the general population oppose the violence and property damage generally and also disperses the peaceful people on the street locally. Agent provocateur.