So I'm no tough guy but I'm looking at these tactics and making lots of notes about the weaknesses of the police approach. Overreach with batons make an easy way to smash a hand and relieve them of a weapon (maybe worth bringing a can of WD-40 to these sorts of things, that rubber flared base won't do much to keep it secure since they don't look tied to their person.

Also, when one dude gets too excited and pushes to far into the crowd, it looks pretty easy to pull them in and surround, like the opposite of letting go during a tug of war.

Even in local groups they were able to get surrounded and tripping would be very effective when they have their hands on each other's backs for group support.

The incredible display of restraint is actually on the crowd that merely pushed them back as opposed to an actual offensive. Compared to the police that seemed to be swinging their batons without much regard.

Also, a friendly reminder that before my countrymen were "Americans" they were British subjects similarly pissed off with British authorities.