Gregory's Server@mekkaokereke it says something when the USA really could learn many lessons from our police over here in the UK (who are far from perfect as recent news too clearly shows)
But it seems the correct tactic is to have the riot gear in a van a little distance behind the police along the line they can retreat if it does turn violent....
Then be there in numbers in normal gear with no weapons drawn and an attitude of "we are here to FACILITATE peaceful protest"
@mekkaokereke in other words the police allow the protesters to make a noise to March and do all the things that are normal in a peaceful protest but make it clear that looting and damage isn't going to be tolerated. If they do have to arrest somone it needs to be targeted directly and in clear response to somone going beyond what is acceptable. You were told this was unacceptable. You did it anyway hence arrest.... Importantly this MUST NOT change the attitude towards anyone else