Although I'm wholly against protestors making the first strike (and let's be honest for just a second, the paper is likely to say that protestors made the first strike, since they're very likely to use the police as a source, the police being considered a "reliable" source in honest journalism), I'm in full agreement with the response to tear gas. It's pretty brutal stuff, and beating people whose wills are not broken commonly brings anger and pain to the forefront of their mind, often causing them to tunnel vision, lash out, and generally act recklessly.
As far as taking a stand goes, putting children at the forefront is a challenge... and they win either way. Either the children are gassed, and the police and establishment further demonized, or the children are not gassed and the protestors feel they are given free license to do just about anything in protest. Sure, you think they're sick for including children in the matter... but it's a tactical win within the movement itself, regardless of outside condemnation.
As far as taking a stand goes, putting children at the forefront is a challenge... and they win either way. Either the children are gassed, and the police and establishment further demonized, or the children are not gassed and the protestors feel they are given free license to do just about anything in protest. Sure, you think they're sick for including children in the matter... but it's a tactical win within the movement itself, regardless of outside condemnation.
Please give me a home where cloud buffalo roam
Where the dear and the strangers can play
Where sometimes is heard a discouraging word
But the skies are not stormy all day
