[thegreatbeast]

No one wanted a repeat of the earlier protests. The cops had been endangered by these commies throwing bolts and other things at them and the protestors took some shots that were well publicized within hours of the protest. It was Providence that noone was grievously and permanently injured.
You pick your fights. Give the protestors some face, I guess. Maintain your presence but why get exercised over something that doesn't matter? Large force military action is over in Iraq. Supplying our needs there is now a process that won't be adversely effected by patronizing the "peaceniks" for a few hours.
And the OPD might be wary of an investigation that was called after the last protest. Reasonable people recognize that the police acted properly but this is California after all.