I suspect that some of them are remembering the L.A. riots and panicking.
Any dimbulb who stands in the middle of the freeway like that gets what's coming to them.
Yes, I assume they are panicking because they do not know what the protestors may do.
However, if you run over and kill a few people, there is no way youre not doing jail time. All a lawyer would have to say is, "Why couldn't you take a detour instead of killing 6 people with your 2500 pound car?" Game. Set. Match. That person will be doing a relatively long stint in jail.
All I am speaking on is how I think the law would react.