Counting arrests is an interesting measure. One one hand, it’s a loose indicator of how disobedient it was and the perceived threat of it. Not all protests are effective even if they’re unlawful.

On the other hand, a well-planned action will often tactically minimise arrests, because they make further actions more difficult (cops often target key figures intentionally. Some friends say they saw photos of public-facing organisers on the walls of the police station they were processed at the Botany ZIM protests. Many aren’t allowed to go anywhere near the port terminals anymore.).

But for a mass protest, most people won’t be getting arrested (and often we want people not willing to risk arrest to be welcome and secure in participating), there is an element of safety in numbers sometimes. So there’s more to civil disobedience than arrest count, but the arrest count is a real indicator of the bourgeoisie and their level of concern. So-called ‘eco-terrorism’ hits wallets directly, so you’ll see the guards much more aggressive there than during poloce-sanctioned anti-war marches.