Ought to carry a bottle of something nasty to throw 😁😅
Good idea. Suggestions?
Ammonia would work.
It is generally best to stay in your vehicle, lock the doors, and keep the windows closed.
Once somebody touches your vehicle with anything, it is best to drive through - slowly at first, then speed up when you have a opening. Floor it when you have an exit lane and get out of the area as quickly as you can. Do not stop for any reason.
Hitting a pedestrian at speed can disable your vehicle. So can crushing several pedestrians under your front end. You cannot risk being trapped. You must move slowly at your first push to break out.
If you do have a firearm - well, you need to be driving, not shooting. Give it to your passenger if you have one who is capable of using it. Any other weapon you might have would be worse than useless. Don't bother with them.
Remember that somebody else in that crowd of "mostly peaceful protesters" probably also has a firearm. Your best chances are that they will be at the opposite end of the crowd and cannot get a line on you. That is critical because you probably cannot see them or get a line on them. Your vehicle is the best weapon you have. Possessing a firearm or other weapon in this circumstance is just not very important.
You need to GTFO as quickly as you can. That is what is important.