We saw evidence during the BLM protests that violence was being started by police by both beating on peaceful protesters and using agent-provocateurs.

Absolutely, and I'm not saying that it's better/safer to protest against police in the United States.

You need to also keep in mind that the President of the country at the time was a racist and a despicable human being, who would constantly stoke the flames of unrest, and put citizens against the police on several occasions.

I'll admit that I don't know as much about Macron than I do Trump, but only because Macron's decisions don't directly affect what happens in my country (Canada).

My point is that if violence and property destruction discredit a protest for you then the police have already won.

They don't discredit the protest, but they make it really hard for me to be on the side of protesters because I don't believe that destroying private property is effective.

And I hold this belief no matter the cause. I've been part of animal rights protests, but completely reject groups who use violence or otherwise break the law to "support our cause", because it only creates divide.