As an American, there's nothing that prepares me for the notion of cops who would give up this much (or anything at all), to avoid harming unarmed protesters.
Would they stand against it or are they pretty much okay with doing that?
Edit: while I’m sure cops, individually, have a conscience. In my experience that goes out the window as soon as you have a group of 3+ cops.
If you are going to open fire you better make sure the mob is small, or you’ll shortly recieve a similar hail of bullets in response.
I’m thinking mostly about the capitol riots here.
Police are neither bloodthirsty men out for people's lives who take pleasure at the misery of others, particularly the misery of minorities, or are they pure innocents who were just in fear of their life, and so justified in using deadly force no matter the circumstances.
The truth is somewhat muddier and somewhere in the middle.
With power and authority comes the need to exercise discretion in its application, accountability for misuse of that authority, and someone to watch the watchman.
If you think otherwise, you get your news and worldview from a very distorted bubble.
I agree that killing would cross a line for many, but last year was a pretty good indicator of how US cops treat protesters. Where are the defectors?
Maybe it was a wakeup call for enough of them.