More Jackbooted Thuggery As Protests Turn Violent At NYU

[downbeatplumb]

I'm seeing increasing support for property destruction and violence against alt.right types, along with an increase in at least excusing it; basically justified as 'it's okay when the victims are Nazis or rich'.

I don't agree with riots. They're halfway between non-violent protest and resistance and revolution. I think they're less effective in accomplishing desired change than either. If it's not time for bloody revolution then it's still time for nonviolent protest and resistance...which requires discipline and not giving into violent impulses because it's so satisfying to assault racists.

When they're violent, it helps us. You know how we use violent incidents by radical conservatives to rally people against them. When we're violent it helps their narrative. Personally, I believe in nonviolent change and only resorting to violence in self-defense when in immediate physical danger. However, even if I liked assaulting people as much as the next guy, nonviolent protest and resistance is more effective.

But only military or paramilitary types can be 'jackbooted thugs', pretty much by definition.

'Jackbooted Thugs' is a fair description of their actions. But, these are pretty much the fringers, though. I think most on the left would condemn this. Unfortunately, I think the violence from the few fringers will reflect badly on the rest of the left.

"Jackboot thugs" is a term, that in the UK at least, I have only ever seen associated with the right. It seems odd to have it pointed at left leaning people.