> It was an opportunity for the locals to move around in organized groups, even march around doing military drills, without causing the colonial leadership to p

> It was an opportunity for the locals to move around in organized groups, even march around doing military drills, without causing the colonial leadership to panic and retaliate. It seems like we have entered the explanation phase where reasons are discovered where the stupid and pointless thing actually had some minimal benefit that in no way was worth the effort expended. I think this is generally a good sign as it means the pain from the event is fading and so people can reflect on it in sort of silly and absurd ways.