I was marching in San Jose yesterday. Hundreds, maybe a thousand people. Easily overflowed sidewalks into the street. 95% of the cars we passed (not very many) were beeping, cheering out their windows, encouraging. A small few looked annoyed as we passed. Nobody acted confrontational or angry.
I was there for 4 hours. We walked back and forth from City Hall to Cesar Chavez 3 times. There was no police presence. There was no unrest. It was a calm, peaceful demonstration. The final time we returned to City Hall, right around 8:30, there were police cars and several officers blocking the street ahead. We walked right up to them. I've rarely, in my life, been so scared of physical danger to myself. We paused. They stepped into single-file formations, leaving gaps between them. We walked through them. Some fist-bumps were had. I left after that. I think many others did as well.
What does it say that I, an upper middle-class white guy who's worst run-in with the law has been speeding tickets, participating in a 100% absolutely peaceful public assembly, was SCARED SHITLESS of approaching police officers? That, more than anything else, opened my eyes to what others are faced with on a daily basis. I can't imagine what it's like to be in one of the other cities where police are acting with less restraint.
I'd encourage anyone go exercise your right to peaceably assemble right now. Be an example for those places where demonstrations are met with bullets and batons.