I’m not pro-Police State, but I’m pro common sense. And this is day 3 of widespread anger and protests. The Police are mainly there to prevent further riots, violence, theft and property damage. And even if the vast majority of people there are just there to peacefully vent, there’s some who are there to instigate and really nothing can be solved at 9pm several hours past curfew.

I agree that an umbrella over the barricade is small potatoes, but it also blocks the view of the police who are there to keep an eye on the situation and prevent escalation.

Now, you say that tear gas and flash bangs is escalation, but that’s not really accurate. It prevents a potentially angry mob by forcing them to disperse.