Is there no plausible situation, given we do not have full information about how this started - that someone could not justify the act?

To be clear, I'm definitely in your camp - and am guessing with good certainty that this was a thugish response to lively protest.

Providing a full quote, rather than an representing the protesters as simply chanting an innocuous pro-USA chant is not a fair representation. /u/AlaDouche just provided the full context. Without any opinion, which nowadays makes me want to give a commenter a fucking medal.

I'm only reacting to your comment really where you say "Tone of voice lost in text" only because the commenter simply did not have ANY tone to interpret. Providing a full quote shouldn't really be seen as providing opinion or supporting a side - we (and myself included) often want to paint with a broad, black and white brush - which is always wrong, always - even though in situations like these it's almost irresistible.

Sorry, don't mean to lecture. I'm sure if you look at my comments you can see I'm prone to pontificating for no one's benefit. :)