There is an expression that says "the state has a monopoly on violence" - the government has no issue using violence to get their way, in fact, the essentially have no other tactics. And that's exactly why everyone decided to go protest. Breaking that taboo is a way of taking power back from the state.
>>glenda+(OP)
It's a bit more than merely an expression[1]. The point (as I understand it) is also not to say that the state is only capable of or always legitimate in administering violence.