"It simply pointed out that Teribus sought to denigrate the cause the miners fought for, and defend the brutal tactics used against them, because they found tactics to use to attempt to defend themselves." - Big Mick

Taking a look at the instances of violence on the picket lines it was the norm that it started with objects (stones, bricks,etc) being thrown at the police.

Now that could be passed off as opportunist, spur of the moment type of reaction combined with anger and frustration. However dressing up in leathers and crash helmets and taking along hat pins dipped in shit smacks of cold blooded premeditation. Same as those left-wing working class "heroes" who carried a concrete fence post onto a bridge crossing a dual carraige way intending to drop it onto a specific taxi cab - legitimate protest!! Not on your life by any means or reason.

People who deliberately leave their homes looking for trouble generally find it. The trouble is that it is often the case that they are not the ones who pick up the bill for it. Please do not expect me to condone or feel any empathy for their actions or rally round and condemn the police for upholding the laws of the land when confronted by such scum masquerading as decent people.