Yes. They WANTED riots.
While there is always *some* element of unpredictability in any particular riot situation, the dynamics of highly emotional crowds breaking into violence has been carefully studied and is thoroughly understood.
They know, for instance, that in any given crowd of X thousand individuals engaged in peaceful protest, if violence can be provoked certain things are highly likely to happen, such as looting, and the violence will coalesce on targets of opportunity (that is, the location where the violence breaks out, rather than where the ire of the protesters is actually focused.)
They know that certain types of photo ops beneficial to the dissemination of pro-law enforcement propaganda are more likely to be glaringly obvious than photo ops that show the role of law enforcement in provoking the violence. It's a calculated risk.
Ever notice, they always channel protests into two types of areas? First-- the neighborhoods where the "have-nots" live and work. It's okay to trash those. And second-- the "commons": Public spaces that are supported and maintained by our tax dollars.
They don't happen at the gates of gated communities, ever.
This is not an accident.
This is political kabuki.
They wrote the script.
They are running the playbook.
Buckle up, it's going to be a long and ugly ride.
wearily,
Bright
= new reply since forum marked as read
"Glad not to be a person who can be manipulated that way."
Everyone thinks that very thing-- which is one reason why it is indeed easy, to manipulate people (as per Goebbels in Richard Hamilton's book, Who Voted for Hitler?).
Odd how we often accurately exemplify the very thing we're arguing against. 
it's a war out there, so be very afraid of everyone, every time.... 
When will the NRA issue their statement in favor of assault weapons in every home? You know, since people are clearly dangerous and out of control.
Watch the gun stocks go up after this. And sales of similar types of defensive equipment.
