Reference

The police's initial response to the March 23 demonstration was characterized by a heavy-handed approach similar to other incidents of civil unrest. Specifically:

1. Escalation and Militarization: Law enforcement agencies employed escalating tactics and militarized responses. This included the deployment of projectiles, chemical weapons, and mass arrests regardless of the protest's nature (source).

2. Varied Tactics: The response strategies varied widely from different levels of policing presence to extreme measures like kettling, which involves confining protesters within a small area (source).

3. Media and Public Scrutiny: The actions of the police were closely scrutinized by media and civil liberty organizations, highlighting excessive force and lack of adequate training for handling peaceful protests (source).

These responses underline the complexities and challenges law enforcement faces in balancing security and civil liberties during mass demonstrations.