Yes, we’d be much better off with the currently sidelined government that has suggested the evidence should be ignored as long as you’re protesting civil rights.
PolitiFact tried to examine claims from the LA mayor and health director that: "it’s highly likely given the increased numbers that we’re seeing that some of this is in fact people who may have been in a crowded situation at one of the protests where there was spread."
They concluded:
> there’s not enough data to draw any definitive conclusions ...
> Medical experts say the protests likely contributed somewhat, but so did family gatherings [and] the reopening of businesses
https://www.politifact.com/article/2020/jul/21/how-much-did-...