Still, we feel the sheriff overreacted. By brandishing a gun he could potentially have turned a bad situation into a disastrous one. These protesters appear to be mostly young and mostly local. If they plan to hold protests in the future, they need to get the proper permits and obey the law. On the other hand, the sheriff and other law enforcement officers should attempt to get to know them and establish a rapport as the sheriff says he has done with other local people who stage protests.
Peaceful protests are a long and valued American tradition.
But when protests turn violent, everyone loses.