> except when you're in charge of the law and order of a city, and you have messages such as these doing the rounds in the midst of a large scale protest.
I think that cannot justify it. There are lines that should not be crossed, no matter what.
Because if some kind of unrest gives you the justification to take some freedom away from the people, then nothing is preventing you from staging such an unrest, and proceeding to do exactly what you wanted.
> legitimize people armed with daggers and sickles and machetes belonging to sundry outfits pouring out onto the streets and indulging in arson, rioting, and murder.
Also can you give be some proof that this was happening?