Meanings of small riots in English

Several small riots had broken out in London; but these were promptly suppressed.

There were one or two small riots and there was much demonstration, but, on the whole, the poor masons behaved very well.

Overpowered when the tide turned, when their mysterious allies had disappeared and the spontaneous small riots supporting them had petered out in confusion.

He had headed some one of the many small riots against Rome which were perpetually sputtering up and being trampled out by an armed heel.