In Europe, at least in the Netherlands, police are led in traps using caltrops and heavy fireworks, which causes a lot of damage and make them turn around and flee. Many of the police force are also sympathetic to the protesters and some are even joining them. The police forces in Germany, France, the UK and the Netherlands had to deal with massive budget cuts, long unpaid hours and harassment so they are not overly enthusiast to wage their lives for a government whom don't give a fuck about them. And ironically the only group that have access to firearms are the farmers, they are all hunters, joined shooting clubs, and are able to fill your office with gallons of pig shit. But people are still getting used to to fight for their rights, the good times lasted to long and made them soft but more and more realize that change must be created by the people, not politics.