Yeah the "protesters" broke down the iron gate to their neighborhood which also had "No trespassing" and "private property" signs on the entrance and proceeded to March to the mayor's house. So at that point the protesters were on private property and I dont see how they weren't within their rights to defend their property. They are being charged with a felony count of unlawful use of a weapon.

The St.Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner who charged the couple said "it is illegal to wave weapons in a threatening manner at those participating in nonviolent protest" But they destroyed property so I think most people have a different definition of "nonviolent protest" than Kim Gardner has.