PREDICTIONS FOR THE FUTURE PROTESTS: The following predictions and suggestions are things I have come up with after observing the anti-US beef protests from the start and covering them daily on my website. This piece started as a bit of Monday-morning Quarterbacking — the typical “they should have done this-or-that” routine. It then started to explode.

The reason we decided to post this on a blog is that our predictions are coming true.

I realize that my suggestions will probably not be listened to by anyone in the KNP riot police so this is nothing more than a personal rant on what I think the KNP should do. However, I hope that it may provide some insights into what has been happening with these protests. The protesters are not inventing new techniques. They are simply modifying old protest techniques. Of course, some people will disagree with my viewpoints — but that is to be expected with personal opinions.

The problem for these activist protesters is that their supporter base numbers are declining. The size of the protests are declining rapidly. They are now switching to hit-and-run guerrilla tactics that disrupt traffic and subway service — and then they will disappear before the police appear for small scale actions. For larger actions, they will be a confrontation, but then a dispersal in a game of cat-and-mouse. This was a popular method of protests in the mid-1990s. The protesters may carry a large banner to be taken as a photo-op shot of the protest for the local progressive newspapers and TV stations — or claim credit later as a phone-in to a radio station. These hit-and-run tactics will be quite different from large-scale protests in static battles with police that lasted over 24 hours. The new large scale protests will be short duration, but high intensity conflicts similar to the police battles of the 1980s.

The changing face of the tactics used by protesters requires the police to adapt — and they need to take action NOW. Remember that the aim of the protesters at this time is basically to destabilize the government. On the surface they will use their disparate causes to create havoc and chaos. But what their underlying purpose is to create disorder and discontent in the general populace — and then blame this disorder on the Lee Myung-bak government.

The protesters will attempt to project the image of “freedom fighters” against an oppressive government. Everyone has seen how the progressives called in the Amnesty International and other “human rights” organizations in to condemn the government for their police abuse. The intent is to paint the Lee Myung-bak as a “dictatorial” and “repressive regime.” The progressive newspapers are in fact using these terms now to describe the Lee Myung-bak administration.

A. SUGGESTIONS FOR CHANGES TO POLICE OPERATIONS:

The protests will be a mix of causes because of interlocking agreements where small groups join together to support each other. In the future, with “hit-and-run” tactics, the KNP will find it harder and harder to pinpoint a specific organizer or group to charge. The organizers are going underground. The tactics are moving from a static defense (bus barricades) to a fluid battleground where the police simply are at a loss to control.

Before I launch into my tirades, I need to clarify one point. I have for many years supported the riot police, the para-military arm of the Korean National Police. They have had a thankless job attempting to protect law-and-order — despite a lack of support from the top. Instead of working within the system to change things for the better, the 386 generation sought to destroy everything — as anarchists. The 386 generation were great at tearing things down when they were young, but when they had a chance to build things up during the Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun administrations, they created the present long-term difficulties of Korea and it truly became a “lost decade”. The riot police has been one element preventing everything from falling into complete chaos during large scale riots of the past.

The entire para-military riot police system was challenged in the courts in 1991. The case went all the way to the Constitutional Court which ruled that the system was constitutional — but it was a split vote of 5 to 4. The public sentiment has been against them since their formation.

For the past decade, the riot police have had to maintain the peace in the face of two Presidents who did NOT support them. Under Kim Dae-jung, the riot police were treated with outright indifference. Under the last President Roh Moo-hyun, his puppet National Human Rights Commission Korea (NHRCK) condemned the riot police for abuse and excessive violence at every turn — while riot policemen were hospitalized for having their throats slit by sharpened pipes or made into sashimi by being attacked with 8-foot bamboo poles splintered at the ends to create razor-sharp knives. At the same time, Roh tried to “legitimize” the Hanchongryeon — the same people who were attacking and hospitalizing the riot police — and are in the forefront of the violent attacks of today. There is an injustice in a system where the heads of the countries do not support the police elements that are there to keep their administration in power. The past decade has been a nightmare for the riot police.

But t also need to say that I have been critical of the regular Korean National Police (KNP) in their crime fighting efforts over the years. I have repeatedly criticized the KNP’s law enforcement actions and violent behavior in the treatment of offenders. I have criticized there cover-ups and ridiculous promises to prevent crimes from EVER happening again. I have criticized their sweeps for the latest “hot topic” crimes that last only a week to a month — and in the end are ineffective because the perpetual violators know that they simply have to lay low until the latest sweep is finished.

However, at the same time that I have been critical of their performance, I must also state that the KNP behavior is simply a reflection of the violent nature of crime that is out on the streets. Koreans may not want to talk about it, but just watch the TV documentaries of the crimes on the streets. Any foreigner with eyes — and a little knowledge of how Korea REALLY operates — will see it right before their eyes. The KNP actions are reflection of the crimes that they must deal with daily. In a nutshell, I understand why they do what they do — but I do not agree with their actions.

What follows is Part I of my musings.

1. LIVE INTERNET BROADCASTS OF PROTESTS: Police need to set up an internet broadcasting website where they can broadcast from a live-cam that shows the POLICE operations. They should be able to broadcast the abuse by the protesters as shown from the police perspective Instead of the censored views by the progressive media — i.e., KBS crews that only selectively photograph events where the police are shown in a bad light. The police can beat them to the punch. People on the internet — even if they object to the police — will be able to see for themselves what is happening. It will also highlight the police side of the story in case of a clash.

Setting up an internet live-broadcast is relatively inexpensive and as the police operate its own website, using it as a forum for their live broadcasts should not be a problem. The benefits are (a) public awareness of the police perspective of these protests — with views of the attacks on the police; (b) being able to refute claims of police abuse by showing the police are reacting in self-defense; and (c) being able to beat the radical elements to the punch as it will be a LIVE broadcast and the radicals will find it hard to make unfounded accusations.

The live broadcasts will operate similar to the live broadcasts used in the anti-US beef protests — except that there will be a lack of personal interviews with protesters. However, they can have interviews with the riot policemen to give them something they have NEVER had before: a face — a personality — and become a living entity as someone who is someone’s brother, son or friend. The police has NOT done its work in this area.

The police tried to change its image with cartoon characters to make the police more “friendly” — but they forgot that there were a lot of young people in the para-military riot police whose image did NOT change. The police have done an extremely poor job of doing PR work to show the duress the riot police is under.

We remember when the Hanchongryeon were slitting the riot police throats with pipes flattened, shaped into a hook and sharpened — and the police did absolutely nothing. It was only after the mothers’ pleas did the abuse slacken. But then the National Human Rights Commission – Korea undid that by claiming the riot police who lay in the hospital with slit throats were guilty of police abuse.

In addition the progressive newspapers (i.e., Hankyoreh and Kyunghyang) and news networks (MBC, KBS and YTN) have traditionally been negative in their reporting of the riot police. If the police can get the word out FIRST that the protesters are becoming violent, the protesters words of “police abuse” are no longer as effective as before. This is why an internet broadcast is the best method. It is KNP controlled and moderated.

In addition, an internet Live broadcast could be useful as a command and control tool in judging the “battlefield” for those on-site commanders and support elements such as riot police to be used to close off exits or water cannon trucks positioned on side streets. With the latest in hand-held internet portables, the REAL TIME reporting capabilities of the riot police is possible without all the expensive hardware found in a M1-A1 tank.

After the protest, the collected footage will provide PUBLIC PROOF that the protesters were the instigators.

• a. In case of violations of the newly-created neutral zone, the videotaped evidence with DATE/TIME MARKER and warnings must be broadcast immediately. These will act as proof that the protesters are the violators and instigators of violence with a PUBLIC NOTIFICATION — albeit a Police internet website.
• b. In case of a violation of using deadly weapons against the police, the police must video tape the offenders. These tapes MUST be broadcast IMMEDIATELY with TIME/DATE MARKERS. If the attacks are on a police bus barricade, a photographer INSIDE the bus will document the individual attacks. It attacks are on a police line, a photographer atop a police vehicle will document the individual attacks. The intent is photographic evidence against the violent protesters.

In both cases, the live video clips MUST be placed on the internet immediately BEFORE the police take any punitive action against protesters. This is to ensure the police have proof against the specious statements of the activist groups that they were the subjects of unprovoked police attacks. In fact, using internet, the on-site commander will know he is free to act if he has a notebook set up and sees the public notice. (SITE NOTE: The whole process if coordinated properly can be accomplished in a matter of minutes as the PA broadcasts and public notices are done simultaneously.)

The live internet broadcasts of large scale protests should use the same techniques as the live internet broadcasters used for the protesters in the anti-US beef protests — only they will be using telephoto lens. To get better visual coverage:

If the protesters opt to attack the police bus barricade line:

• a. We suggest that a mobile camera be installed atop the cherry picker boom to give a panoramic view of the protesters. This should also be equipped with high-quality telephoto capabilities to capture the images of those in the protest. We have watched the police use this technique since the early 1990s when they would situate themselves on roof tops and take photos of the protesters. This is simply a modern high-tech use of the same methods. Only now, they will not only be archived for future use, they will be immediately broadcast to provide watchers with information to combat the misinformation that the protesters will attempt to spread. It is a PROACTIVE use of an old technique.
• b. A roving cameraman and “reporter” should document the events as they unfold. This will be more of a PR element to show the public the faces of the young riot police. Interviews are recommended during lulls in the action — sort of “where are you from — how do you feel at the moment — do you want to say hello to your family” kind of interview. This will enable the public to see these young riot policemen as their sons, brothers, cousins but most importantly — as PEOPLE. This is to give a “face” to the otherwise unknown riot police. TV programs promote the soldiers in the ROK military, but NONE promote interviewing the para-military riot police. For all the wrong reasons, they have become the “bad guys” in Korean “freedom fighter” folklore.
• c. If the protesters attack the police bus barricade, there needs to be one “reporter” and one cameraman posted INSIDE the buses of the bus barricades to photograph the faces of the protesters in the front ranks close up. These should be also sent out over the internet — as well as archived for later use in the prosecution phase of the protests. If the protesters attack a police line, a “reporter” and cameraman need to be atop a police vehicle directly behind the police line to document the violence — and archive and broadcast it as well.
• d. There needs to be a software feed whereby two images (silent cherry picker view and narrated ground “reporter” camera views) can be interposed — one full screen while the other in the inset with audio muted. This method was used quite effectively in the Live Internet Broadcasts in the Kyunghyang online newspaper allowing the viewing audience to get a feel of the intensity of the protests.

If the protesters use their “hit-and-run” guerrilla techniques attempting to block traffic at traffic circles or major boulevards and play their cat-and-mouse games, the police need to document these. The progressive media is intentionally censoring these images out from their reporting. The media is also being selective of their reporting of the violent nature of the incidents. For example, on 26 Jul protest the eye-witness reports of the violence by J. Scott Burgeston versus the photos seen in the media did NOT correlate. In this type of scenario:

• a. One police officer “reporter” should scale the highest building in the area with an unobstructed view of the chaos. It should be noted that the protesters will attempt to silence this cameraman documenting their actions so protection is required. They will figure out the “reporter’s” location by the broadcast views and attempt to attack his position. From this elevated perch, the reporter will be able to give a “bird’s eye” view of the protest as intelligence to the site commander to make decisions. At the same time, it will provide the public with the actual scope of the protest — and show the protesters’ actions as a group.
• b. One police “reporter” needs to position himself atop a police vehicle directly behind the police lines with a video camera with a telephoto lens. This will document the riots — and violence to police lines and be archived for future use in prosecutions if violent actions result in injuries to riot police. This needs to be broadcast live via the internet to provide the police view of these protests — and the violence that is being committed upon their persons.
• c. Special attention should be paid to locate and identify “coordinators” of the protest. During the anti-US beef, the Hanchongryeon “storm trooper/peace marshalls” handled this role. Wearing military reserve uniforms, they were fairly easy to spot. They can be identified by being the people the volunteer first-aid people check in with them before the rally starts. In the latest protests, the coordinators have been in civilian clothes. However, they have been observed shouting out directions to the crowds whenever the crowds change directions to frustrate the police. We know that the police radio frequencies have been compromised. These people are taking directions from those who are monitoring the police radio bands to counter any police moves. During the protest, it will be important to identify and take out these “coordinators” if possible. If not, identifying them for possible later arrests with the photographic evidence could lead to vital information of the group protester organization.

At the onset of violent actions by the protesters, the internet broadcasts should simultaneously broadcast over the internet, the same warnings given to the protesters over the PA System of the police vehicle. These internet broadcasts of public warnings will serve two purposes:

• a. Provide evidence for latter criminal indictments against violent protesters; and
• b. Provide immediate notification on a PUBLIC BROADCASTING MEDIA — albeit Police website media — of the protesters being notified of the CONSEQUENCES of their actions if they commit an act of violence. In other words, it will be proof with a DATE/TIME MARKER that they acted with intent and forethought in willful and malicious acts against the police. These can be brought up in the criminal trials of those booked and indicted.

2. BE PROACTIVE: We highly recommend the police become more PROACTIVE at the FIRST sign of violence. In the past, we have commended the police commanders for their patience in enduring the abuse of the protesters. We have shaken our head as the riot police absorbed onslaught after onslaught simply to avoid any accusations of police abuse.

However, our opinion now is that the police should take the initiative to defuse the situation BEFORE it proceeds to actual confrontation. If this is not possible, then the police should be the first to initiate action. The point is that if there is going to be a confrontation, the confrontation should be on the police terms — NOT THE PROTESTER TERMS. The police need to take the advantage away from the violent protesters.

As a final silly suggestion, perhaps the police should obtain “press credentials” for a few of their people; equip them with white “Press” helmets and green vests — then turn them loose INSIDE the protester group. Let them take videos of the protest from the protesters perspective. These videos are intended to be used as evidence of violent attacks in the prosecution phases. However, they must NOT be broadcast simultaneously on the internet as it would place the underground “press team” in mortal danger. It has been shown that these protesters are violent and capable of physically attacking innocent bystanders and those who disagree with them. This assignment would be extremely dangerous — but if successful would obtain a lot of incriminating footage. Currently the progressive media is censoring the coverage and eliminating — or simply not photographing protester violence and abuses.

a. USE PA SPEAKERS TO ISSUE SPECIFIC WARNINGS — NOT JUST ORDERS TO DISPERSE: Using the police PA loudspeakers, the police need to make repeated — pre-recorded announcements that the protesters are in violation of applicable laws and will be charged with inciting to riot. (This is the big blue truck with the rows of loudspeakers loaded in the back that can blow out your eardrums.) These announcements will NOT stop the protesters from violent actions, but it does build up a legal case against these people who are arrested for violent acts.These announcement need to be specifically worded and approved by the Prosecutors’ Office to show that the protesters have been made aware of the consequences of any violent actions. The intent is to change the “warning” into a “specific lawful order” issued by an official arm of the Korean government. As a legal order, the penalties must be specified. Thus if those arrested for violent acts no longer will have by their acts shown that they committed violence willfully with premeditation and forethought. As the notice will also be simultaneously posted on the internet as a PUBLIC NOTICE there is no defense that he was an “innocent bystander” that didn’t know it was against the law to strike a riot policeman.

• (1). The announcement MUST include the statement that the police have the right to use force to restrain the protesters who are crossing the barricades.
• (2). The police MUST ensure that they include the SPECIFIC citation of the appropriate regulations and laws that the protesters are violating.
• (3). The protesters MUST be advised of their rights — and MUST be advised that if they proceed with the violence are giving up their rights as citizens and instead will be treated as criminal violators.
• (4). They MUST be advised that any violent actions will show intent to commit an unlawful act with malice and forethought. They need to be told that they are violating the agreement they made to hold the protest in a peaceful manner.

b. PUBLISH NEW “RULES OF ENGAGEMENT”: : The protesters still seem to like the avenues leading to Cheong Wa Dae, Seoul Plaza, and Cheongye Stream for their symbolic value. The police need to set up procedures to allow the protesters to approach the barricades — as long as they do not cross a marked no-man “neutral zone” (no-man zone). If they are peaceful, there is no problem. In fact, the police should make every effort to allow the protesters to have a peaceful protest. If possible, even pull off the traffic police and allow them free rein of the streets by blocking them off for their use.

However, the Rules of Engagement need to be widely PUBLICIZED IN THE MEDIA and enforced. The most important step is the GENERAL PUBLIC need to be aware that the police are instituting a “no-man” zone in front of the buses. The immediate publication of the new “Rules of Engagement” in the conservative newspapers. The public announcement must clearly state:

• (1). That the police have the right to use force to restrain any protesters who cross into the neutral zone.
• (2). The SPECIFIC regulations and laws that the protesters will violate if they cross the neutral zone.
• (3). A statement advising anyone planning on disobeying of a lawful police order — and further advised that they give up their rights to be treated as a peaceful citizen.
• (4). That by violating the neutral zone, the person has shown willful and malicious intent to do harm to property or the persons of the police. Any violent act after entering the neutral zone will show intent to commit an unlawful act with malice and forethought. Any violent act voids any agreement made to hold a peaceful protest.
• (5). Most importantly: That those protesting outside the neutral zone will be afforded all liberties associated with free expression of protest. The protest will be considered peaceful unless groups or parts of the groups violate the agreements for peaceful congregation for free expression guaranteed under the Constitution. If members of the group violate the agreement, all will be asked to disperse and leave the area.

At the present time the activists are controlling the Rules of Engagement. They make them up as they go along — and the police have to REACT. We suggest the Police publish a set Rules of Engagement in which they can be PROACTIVE. They will control the battlefield — not the violent protesters.

The bottom line is that the police need to make the protesters aware of the consequences of any violent action. If the protesters stay on their side of the barricades, they can hold their protests to their hearts content. They can scream and yell — and even hurl objects. The rules of engagement need to be published in all newspapers and posted on the internet — albeit on the Police website.

3. ESTABLISH A NEUTRAL NO-MAN ZONE: We propose that a permanent no-man zone or “neutral zone” be created between the police and the protesters. If the protesters choose to cross the “neutral zone”, the police must IMMEDIATELY inform them using loudspeakers that they are violating the law and state specifically which laws they will break if they as a group deface government property or attempt to harm a riot policeman. At the same time these “rules of engagement” are being announced over the police truck-mounted PA systems, they should be broadcast on the newly-created internet web site — giving PUBLIC NOTICE in a MEDIA SOURCE — albeit a police media source.

Barricades — or even a yellow tape police line stretched across the road — should plainly mark the neutral zone. Though permanent, consider using spray paint to mark the line on the ground. The main point is to have a line the protesters cannot deny seeing at a later date. Crossing the line will show willful action with forethought.

The spacing of the neutral zone (no-man land) should be such that hurled objects are not effective against the riot police. If the protesters use roman candles or sling shots or other devices (i.e., archery) to harm riot policemen without entering the no-man “neutral zone,” the protesters will be immediately charged with inciting to riot and told to disperse immediately. However, it is vitally important that the police have photographic or videotaped evidence of the people with slingshots or roman candles WITH A DATE/TIME MARKER — BEFORE giving the orders to disperse. The protesters must be given notice WHY they are being told to disperse and the specific legal codes that are being broken by the use of these devices. The photos and videos of the protesters MUST be IMMEDIATELY broadcast over the internet at the same time the “Rules of Engagement” are broadcast.

Currently the regular police set up a barricade for crowd control approximately 20 feet in front of the police bus barricades. This forms a temporary no-man zone. However, the traffic police usually depart the area about 12 midnight leaving the zone unprotected. At this point, the protesters, following their time schedule, have attacked the buses. In the anti-US beef protest you would ALWAYS find the Hanchongryeon “storm troopers/peace marshalls” positioned near the front ranks acting as coordinators for when the attacks should start.

If the protesters are violent, they most likely have already planned their attack beforehand — and police announcements will not stop them. We are pretty sure that the protesters will disregard the police warning — as they have in ALL the protests so far. Since the police know the protesters are going to attack them if their minds are made up, why not use it to their advantage. Use their crossing the no-man zone as showing their intent to provoke the confrontation. However, do not take any action against the protesters until after (a) warning announcements using the PA trucks have been made — with SPECIFIC warnings of violations; and (b) BROADCAST over the internet simultaneously — should the police move into action. The broadcast over the internet is PROOF that the protesters have been warned. Again once they cross the barricade line, they are showing intent to do bodily harm to the police and/or damage to government property (buses, police vehicles, etc).

From all the video footage we have watched of the past anti-US beef with the Hanchongryeon “storm troopers/peace marshalls” (dressed as reservists) acting as coordinators for the master plan with the “shock troops” from the KCTU, hard core activists, and Hanchongryeon right behind them awaiting orders for when to start. If one checks the violence, it was like clockwork every night and the Hanchongryeon never deviated from it — though they modified their actions based on “lessons learned” in “after action reports” that critiqued the previous nights violence (i.e., too short ladders to scale the buses result in the use of sandbags to build a stairway). All of the past violent actions were coordinated and NOT spontaneous — though the violent acts of some individuals were spontaneous (i.e., being drunk and jumping on the roof of a bus to attack policemen with a pipe).

B. CHANGE POLICE FREQUENCIES IMMEDIATELY: Looking at the past two protests, it is evident that the protesters have started to implement the new “hit-and-run” tactics. Part of gaining the upper-hand is to be forewarned of the police tactics to block their escape or block their forward movement.

It is obvious to us that the sudden increase in the number of police radios lost — 14 radios in the 26-27 Jul protests from one-two per protest before that the protesters have been ordered to steal the radios. The theft of these tactical radios is to listen in on police movements.

On 20 Jul a video clip clearly shows a “coordinator” who counts down to give a signal for all the protesters to run away on cue, while police stumble as they try to catch them. The protesters knew the police were going to charge and simply played a cat-and-mouse game to break and run just before the police would start their charge. They were warned before hand. During the week of 21-25 Jul, the demonstrators who moved to the streets constantly eluded the police in trying to stop them. The protesters demonstrated this again in the 26-27 Jul demonstrations by treating with impudence the police demands for the crowd to disperse and again continued to elude the police. Whenever the police would move to block a protester movement, they would simply move in a new direction.

It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that the police IMMEDIATELY change the frequency crystals on their hand-held radios. This action MUST BE DONE BEFORE 6 AUG WHEN THE PROTEST FOR PRESIDENT BUSH WILL BE HELD. Usually there are three bands on the cheaper hand-held radios– but more are available on expensive models.

If this cannot be done because of time constraints, recommend a switching of tactics to “radio silence” whereby signals are sent by:

• (1). old-fashioned wig-wag flags — ridiculous idea;
• (2). by runners carrying messages — slow and ineffective
• (3). simply using CELLPHONES. We are certain there are enough disposable cellphones on the market to equip every squad leader with one. Signals to attack or deploy could be passed through the use of text messaging. Cheap earphones (or headsets) could be used the same as on the tactical radios for audio communication.

To test whether the protesters are listening in, schedule a feint early on in the next demonstration as soon as they take to the streets. If the protesters counter the police move instantly, there is a compromise in communications and police should switch to cell phones. At the same time, the police should exploit their advantage by quickly moving to intercept, isolate and surround small groups of violent protesters to be arrested before the protester leaders catch on.

C. CHANGE TACTICS ON BUS BARRICADES: With smaller protests between 1,000-3,000 people, we think the famous bus-pull event where the protesters try to yank a bus out of line will disappear. This has been a favorite event in the past anti-US beef protests. Early on, there were successes and these bus-pulls became standard. Earlier we recommended that the police (1) use tie-downs and (2) flatten the tires to lower the center of gravity. The police did start using tie downs with limited success, but never flattened the tires.

We now have a new recommendation. We recommend that they park buses immediately behind the front buses in parallel. Leave a small corridor in case that will act as a choke point if there is a breach. Leave a one bus opening in the rear line for the cherry picker water cannon to be able to “reach” over the front bus line. (NOTE: Remember that under our recommendations, the cherry picker serves a dual purpose. During the period leading up to an actual confrontation, it will be providing a “birds-eye” view of the situation and be able to (a) take pictures of the protesters to be used later in prosecution; (b) be part of the Live Internet Broadcast on the KNP website; and (c) be used by site commanders for decision-making on countering the protesters’ moves.)

We recommend all of the bus wheels in the front line be CHAINED to the wheels of the buses in the rear. The bus that is in the center of the line in front without a bus to its rear, should be chained to the buses to its front and rear. At the same time, using nylon tie-down STRAPS, the top sides of the buses should be joined. In this way, if the protesters want to play bus-pull, they will effectively be attempting to pull TWO buses.

However, we believe that if the police use the dye and tear gas mixture in the cherry picker water cannon, the protesters will not try the bus pull event again. However, we still recommend that they chain the tires just in case.

We further suggest to NOT man the top of the buses as this seems to act as a form of unwritten challenge to the protesters. By standing on the roof of the buses, they attracted fire from the protesters including hurled water bottles and stones. It was sort of like kids playing “King of the Mountain.” The riot police presence on the top of the buses seemed to be an incentive to scale the buses as a goal — just to prove who’s the meanest kid on the block. We suggest that the policemen remain hidden behind the buses with ladders available to immediately scale the buses in case the protesters attempt to storm the barricade.

In the past, we said the police should simply grease the top of the buses and leave it. It is awfully hard to look victorious when you’re falling on your arse. If they attempt to breach the gap, they will fall into a corridor space between the buses. Even if a large group did climb over the buses, the attackers would become easy prey to being arrested one-by-one. However, we don’t believe this will be required, if the police simply do not man the top of the bus until required.