The only thing enabling this level of violence
I didn't see any violence, except that by the police. The crowd was remarkably well self-controlled. They pushed through the police line, as they must do if they want to make an impression, and left the police officers alone.
Oh, so now you're unaware of hyperbole? Interesting.
Violence = use of force. The crowd used force to push through the police- a violent action. It's low violence with no intentions of injuring the "targets", which is why the police resort to deploying a higher level of force (beating people with batons, spray, etc.) to match and overcome the crowd's violence.
Funny how you were here trying to be pedantic but you were just wrong:
It's low violence with no intentions of injuring the "targets"
violence: n behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something.
implying the officers' egos and morale remain undamaged
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