There was violence in the civil rights movements. The growth of armed black defense groups in the south during the mid 60's was instrumental in ending the KKK attacks on non-violent civil rights workers. Th riots of the 60's also played a major role. peace Jim Davis Ozark Bioregion, USA, Planet Gaia check out my books at: http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=141735
^^^^^ CB: However , not all or even most of the Civil Rights activists, including M L King, responded to the violence with violence. The children set upon by dogs and water hoses did not respond with violence, nor did the Deacons for Defense or anybody else defend them with violence. This forbearance from violence gained widespread sympathy around the country. This sympathy resulted in millions of voters non-violently pressuring Congress and the President to pass Civil Rights laws. The main non-violent tactic in the US is voting.
Ergo, " responding to violence by invoking 'non-violence' is not absurd. "