So the Mayor felt threatened at a local political meeting.

The mayor needs to get used to the fact that one cannot expect everyone attending a political meeting for local or central public meetings to be on side. Abuse and a threatening atmosphere is a phase of the politics game and one needs to summon up the blood.

Would a high ranking army officer such as the mayor generally flee a scene when he felt threatened by the enemy?

I suspect this less-than-brave reaction will threaten his seat at the next election.

A Bourne, Bethlehem