It wasn't the police who were armed with sticks, bats, etc. It was the counterprotesters. They also apparently had pepper spray which they used on one of the alt-Right leaders before he entered the park.

I'm not supporting their message in the least, but they had a natural right to express that message and the counterprotesters showed up armed to prevent that expression. That makes them violent thugs aggressing on the rights of others.

That's why BOTH sides are wrong and President Trump was correct to condemn both sides. To allow one side a pass for their violence because the other side is politically incorrect just encourages more violence.