This is what's going on

[pecunium]

If a picture is worth a thousand words....

Woman being pepper sprayed, for offering a flower

She's not trying to break the line. She is backing up as it goes forward. Then the cop sprays her.

When she's walking away, clearly affected by it, trying to leave; and apparently no longer, "a threat," he hoses her again.

Comments

[quercus.livejournal.com]

That's rather the point of doing it.

A "peaceful" protest starts out by recognising that it isn't going to be peaceful and you're going to wind up getting a kicking from the Modplod or the GOP. If you don't walk into it beforehand realising this (and keep on walking anyway), then when it does turn nasty, that tends to be when the pacifists turn angry and fight back. Chaos, and bad publicity, ensues.

[sinboy.livejournal.com]

Hm. I should re-phrase. The GOP talking head response is going to be that it was deserved, and an appropriate response.

The worst of them will probably suggest that protesters be executed for treason.