content: Violent protests are pretty much par for the course, historically. Before the American revolution, you had the Sons of Liberty, who engaged in property destruction and violence against loyalists.  The truth is that there is a pretty good argument for the American system not being democratic, with corporate money in politics, rampant gerrymandering by Republican officials in many states, etc. Trump only got support from 26% of the electorate and has record disapproval ratings. Many people feel that republicanism has failed. While I think that this man shouldn't have been hit, the urban working class is frustrated, under attack by neoliberal globalists and rural nativists alike. They are huge in number but have very little political influence. Frustration is very high. I'm honestly amazed that there hasn't been more violence.  It should also be noted that some reports are saying that about 200 protesters were arrested. They didn't exactly get away scott free.