It could be that the powers that be are perfectly happy to give the opposition small victories, as long as they don't win in the end. Small victories like this could shift a public looking for a simple narrative* into thinking the big guys didn't win. It could be to curb or dissuade the influx of new protestors from around the country, including veterans and our very own @kommienezuspadt. It could reduce the underdog effect that these protestors and natives have been granted so far by being trampled upon.

_{*I'm guilty of this, often.}