This has been smoldering for a few days
As an old hippy protester, I remember government tactics and one of the most effective was simply arresting people for almost anything regardless of whether it was relative to the action or even legitimate. The theory was that repeated arrests do several things. First, they temporarily take that individual out of action. Second, they frequently cost someone something to get the individual out on bail, making already limited financial assets even more so. Third, they often (depending on who is arrested) take the focus of the movement away from the primary objective into a secondary objective, to obtain the release of the protestor. Fourth, until the arrest can be resolved and/or expunged, the individual arrested has one more incident on his or her record giving the police even more reason to arrest him or her again. Fifth, if he or she finally does go to trial drag out the process until every legal option has been taken to counter misinformation and outright lies. Rinse, wash, repeat. It is actually quite effective and one of the main reasons Leonard Peltier is still in prison for something he didn't do.
Therefore, all the delays that everyone complains about with regards to the old man in Florida and 1/6 have numerous benefits for those doing the arresting.
I certainly don't condone those tactics, but I have to admit they are often effective.
Just a thought.
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