Nonviolent Protest and Resistance Privileged

[abaris]

If the evidence was that violence is necessary to effect change, I would have to rethink my position, but nonviolent protest has accomplished so much that it's a means that should be exhausted before considering escalating to violence.

You have to look at it that way. Even the GDR of old was toppled by non violent protestors who exposed themselves to a violent regime. They didn't know that the ruling class would shy away from using weapons and could rightfully fear for their lives. That's true for most of the former soviet block, even the soviet Union itself.

Violence may be - and was at times - an ultimate resort, but non violence has achieved so much more.