This is the fucked up part... there's an obvious right and wrong way to going about this. 99.9999% of the cops know about open carry protesters and we know they are harmless... If Mr X wants to be a douchebag and make our day miserable, we'll make sure his gets ruined in the process.
If Mr X's behavior gets a complaint from bystanders, and we show up (which we don't want to do, but are still REQUIRED to do) a little bit of courtesy goes a loooong way.... on both sides.
Cop: How's it going sir? What brings you out here today?
Mr X: just out here trying to educate the public on open carry rights.
Cop: understood. I'm sure you understand we got complaints about you today.
Mr X: I can imagine so. Hence my reasons for being here.
Cop: please continue to maintain firearm safety and maintain a lawful presence. Thank you for responsibly supporting your 2nd amendment rights.
Booom. Done. No paper. Back to lunch.
Every time someone asks me "am I being detained".... I respond with, "Are you fucking kidding me right now? Between the Penal Codes, Vehicle Codes, Healthy and Safety Codes, Welfare and Institution Code and the Business and Profession Codes I have over 30,000 laws at my disposal. Do you really think you're so pious that I can't find just one to detain you?"