Oh God, Neil, take off those blinders you have on. The protesters destroying equipment, blocking the highway and being violent are the reason they get a response from the police. If they weren't there wouldn't be a problem. I know, you would have no law enforcement anywhere and any protester (especially indigenous) should be able to destroy property at will with no repercussions. But I'm afraid this isn't how countries work. Go back to LA and put a sock in it - maybe go protest the oil production in California - it's among the world's dirtiest.