The raids and the arrests of individuals in Minneapolis are not some plot by the republicans to undermine free speech or squelch dissent. In fact the republicans would love to see a repeat of the violence as was in Seattle at the WTO meeting or the 68 democratic convention. Think about it. There will be thousands upon thousands of peaceful protesters in the streets of Minneapolis. No way are the republicans, through law enforcement, going to be able to hide that or stop it. There will hundreds of cameras and reporters watching every move the police make. But, if there is mass rioting, and believe me, the madness of crowds is contagious and peaceful protesters become not so peaceful, who do you think looks good? Or should I say who looks bad?
Everybody will be watching it unfold on TV and what are the talking heads going to say? They are going to say radical democrats are destroying the city. Radicals democrats have invaded the Midwest. Who looks bad? The out of control democrats or the law and order republicans? I can just hear Fox "not since 9/11 have we seen such destruction". Face it folks. A full blown riot would play right into the republicans hand.