zlacker

>>mwseib+(OP)
> So let’s not excuse violence, or rationalize it, or participate in it.

Taboos around violence for political are one of the crucial building blocks for a functioning democracy. If those taboos are broken, even for a good cause, you set a precedence that violence works. And the next cause won’t be as good. One only has to look at the lessons of the Roman Revolution that started with the murder of Grachus, and ended with an Emperor who everyone acclaimed as they were so tired of the bloodshed.

>>RcouF1+pg
The police were breaking those taboos constantly last week. I've seen them casually macing people (not to move them, or to make arrests - they didn't occupy that space, they just sprayed the front of a line down, because they could) tossing tear gas and flashbangs into non-violent crowds (again, without any intention of occupying the vacated space), and shooting non-lethal projectiles at people who were sitting on their porches.