Taxpayers aren't being robbed to specifically fund weapons, uniforms, salaries, benefits, etc., for independent rioters the way they are for murderous cops.
Today's email message from Reason contains some links to good pieces on the recent manifestations* (protests) against police abuse in the United States.
Love & Liberty,
((( starchild )))
*I like this European term for protests which captures the sense of their being a manifestation of public anger and dissatisfaction