Shepard Road Arrests

On the first day of the RNC I was caught in a group that was corralled and (some) arrested after a group (Anarchist group "RNC Welcoming Commitee") tried to cross into downtown on Jackson street. I saw the whole thing but only got to my camera after the police threw the first tear gas.
What most of the news stories about it from yesterday dont mention is that the vast majority of the people corralled were just trying to get to Harriett Island. All of the entrances into downtown were blocked for pedestrians and cyclists. Why could anyone get in by car without question and pedestrians were treated like threats? I believe many of the people who were arrested were not in anyway with the group that tried to force the Jackson entrance.
if you want my personal opinion- it was ridiculous to completely block off downtown (and subsequently the concert at Harriett Island) to everyone because a few kids tried to make a statement in a pointless and stupid way.If they really believed that a system of anarchy (yes system) could work they would be educating people about it- not fashioning themselves up and playing rebel.