Things were pretty mellow on the streets tonight. The police did what they could to prevent any large demonstrations.

But the question was front and center: How much security is too much security? Just how big does a security perimeter need to be? When does controlling protesters turn into violating their rights?

None of this is to say that the NYPD or anyone else has violated the protesters’ rights. Overall, the protests have been large and peaceful, and no one has had much to complain about. But while watching the police pushing people farther and farther away from Madison Square Garden, it was hard not to see the line between liberty and security being moved — physically as well as metaphysically — more and more to the side of security.

The more it’s pushed in that direction, however, the more it is likely to be pushed back — eventually.

You can see a gallery from Monday night here.