Buy on ther serious note, she had to be doing something in order for that to happen. Protesters are in the wrong when it gets like that. Her fault..
please don't take this personal or as a personal attack. But what if that were your mom, sister or girlfriend? You would wind up in jail defending them. Granted he is an authority figure and by law you cannot put your hands on a cop or official. He could have turned around and just hand cuffed her and arrested her for attacking an officer. But to hit a woman like that? No way. If the Police would just let them march in the streets, no harm no foul. It's just a lot of chanting and picketing. Did the crowd get violent after this incident? No. But they could have. He wasn't thinking. All it takes is for someone in a huge crowd to grab a cops gun. Then the blood bath begins.
There are just too many people to keep them on the sidewalks especially in the financial district where the streets are narrow. The people will spill onto the streets.
Remember one thing. There are currently 25 million people unemployed and frustrated in the good ole USA. Many were laid off through no fault of their own and can't find work.