[lbo-talk] non-violence is the most powerful weapon we have

[c b]

If police assaulted a mass picket, or a demonstration, people would
have every right to defend themselves if they could. Invoking
'non-violence' in such circumstances would be absurd. One should not
to turn a valid, but provisional, tactical calculation into a spurious
categorical imperative.

^^^^^
CB: Followers of ML King did not respond with violence to violent
police attacks. In general, it is considered that the Civil Rights
Movement won its struggle with the segregationists with these tactics.

 Similarly, Ghandi had a significant impact in forwarding the Indian
national liberation movement. So, responding to violence by invoking
'non-violence' is not absurd. OWS gained a lot of sympathy and support
with non-violent response to the police violence against them early
on.