You should see the student "protests" in Seoul So. Korea. Oh man what a circus.  It's like a perennial rite of passage.  One night we walked from one part of town to another. For miles we passed squads of police and protesters walking peacefully together in the streets and all over the sidewalks.  All heading toward a fateful modern day club and tear gas fight. There is no such thing as a peaceful demonstration. Both sides always come out swinging, although they have pretty much toned down some of the earlier lethality of the whole thing. I think one of the Presidents/Prime Ministers had participated as a student.

The Am. Embassy (not the only target in town) always had a "legion" of police recruits living in buses on the perimeters.  Rumor was that the government recruited them into national police service from the ranks of students (former protesters), dressed them in black clothing, tennis shoes and riot gear.  I once saw a small group (12-15) of protesters emerge from a subway entrance and march, peacefully with their placards, along the sidewalk in front of the embassy.  They had taken no more than five breaths when a large squad of police descended upon them like vultures on a carcass, billy clubs flying.  I had to ask myself - why would anyone subject themselves to that kind of pain.  I understand the need to protest sometimes, but why in that environment and for what purpose?  It's more ritualistic than purposeful.

I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell. _ Blood Sweat & Tears