I took my kids with me to the Great TN Pitchfork Tax Revolt a couple of years back. That event DID get a little intense (but not quite out of control). My kids, to this day, say it's one of their best memories. Even now, when they see a political sign, they start chanting "No new Taxes!" . They were 4 and 5 at the time.
Anyway, my wife was there, too, so if there was any danger she would have grabbed the children and gotten them out of there.
We were lost in Nashville during that time. I'd taken my son to Vandy for some tests...and got turned around because of the crowds. I do okay there as long as I stick to the routes I know....
It was downright frightening around the capital that day. We didn't know what was going on...