People unaffiliated with the protests are using them as cover for their nefarious, petty vandalism?

I am more than willing to believe that this is true. But, if true, then the 'legitimate' protestors have a moral obligation to police those people. But they're not. It is abundantly clear from video footage that when the 'unaffiliated' people engage in criminal acts, the 'peaceful protestors' cheer them on, as well as hiding them and defending them from law enforcement.

As far as I'm concerned, that's affiliation