[zdragnar]

This is a pragmatic point of view, not necessarily what I believe is "right":

Generally speaking, you don't stand around and try to have a conversation with the police. In a tough situation, the very last priority of the police is helping CNN get a nice camera shot.

Had they moved immediately upon being given the order to clear the street, then attempted to have the conversation, they likely would not have faced arrest.

[danesparza]

"Helping CNN get a nice camera shot" is something you read into this.

Asking where to move to is a reasonable question to ask the police. Arrest is not a reasonable response.

[frogpelt]

It's possible the police were saying things that couldn't be heard on television because the mic was not in front of their mouths and they were wearing huge masks.