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by njtransit 552 days ago
Violence certainly can be effective, but also not. Everything is situational. See the Black Panthers vs. peaceful protesting during the civil rights movement. See also the American Revolution. Whether or not violence makes sense likely depends on how strong you and your friends are.
3 comments

>See the Black Panthers vs. peaceful protesting during the civil rights movement. See also the American Revolution.

Some believe King was successful in part because of the threat of violence from alternative groups like the Black Panthers.

King was originally for violent protest until Bayard Rustin convinced him of nonviolent protest
This is also why the state apparatus like it incite violence in the opposition, this gives them authority to respond with violence.

Nonviolent protest and organizing is more dangerous because it could quickly become a populist movement. A small group of people incited into violence, is already fringe and can be quickly suppressed.

Yup, this is why you always shut down instigators at protests. Could very well be an agent provocateur.
True. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. Obviously, in order for it to be effective, you need a good strategy.
Violence is only ineffective when you lose.