As I used to say in my lectures to the police and other law enforcement officials, if the riot gets violent, shoot the first three rows of protestors. You will kill the front fools and the communist agitators in the third row.
The rest will flee like roaches from a light.
Got my a lot of reinforcement on this tactic from the former gov/then Premier of Cambodia, In Tam, who, when faced with a Sihanouk/communist rioting mob in Central Cambodia, had his troops open fire on them. No problems after that.
He guaranteed my safety no matter where I went in his area.
Now that is my kind of guy.