They can get away with it in California

Because in California, the populace is, essentially disarmed.

Deploying highly armed riot police to break up a protest will work in Califronia, but in many other states, doing this to break up a legal protest, might result in a bad outcome for the authorities.

But when the arms are only with the State, then there is only tyranny, as there is no check upon the actions of the organs of the State.