 In some cases this may be in order to try to prevent the protest from taking place at all.In other cases, it may be to prevent clashes between rival groups, or to prevent a demonstration from spreading and turning into a riot.The term has been in use since the mid-19th century, as was the term "monster meeting", which was coined initially with reference to the huge assemblies of protesters inspired by Daniel O'Connell (1775–1847) in Ireland.