Are nonviolent protests enough?

I’ve been reflecting on the effectiveness of nonviolent protests in achieving significant change, especially in the context of historical and contemporary movements in the U.S. This thought has been on my mind recently, influenced by recent developments in our government that seem to highlight how resistant systems of power are to change. While nonviolence is often praised for its moral high ground and widespread appeal, I can’t help but feel that, in practice, it rarely leads to the kind of radical transformations we often hope for.

Looking at history, some of the most transformative moments in the U.S. have come not just from peaceful resistance but from more direct, even confrontational, action. For example, the Boston Tea Party was a direct act of defiance that helped ignite the American Revolution. Similarly, the labor strikes of the early 20th century, though often involving clashes with authorities, played a critical role in securing workers’ rights. Even the Civil Rights Movement, while rooted in nonviolence, gained momentum partly because of the stark contrast between peaceful protests and the violent responses they provoked.

More recently, global climate protests have tried to use nonviolence to push for policy change, yet little seems to shift when corporate interests dominate decision-making. Does nonviolence alone suffice in systems so deeply entrenched in protecting the status quo?

That said, I understand the arguments for nonviolence: it’s less divisive, garners more public sympathy, and avoids further harm. But does it truly work when the real levers of power remain untouched?

So, I ask: If not nonviolence, then what? What does effective resistance look like in 2025? Is there a middle ground between radical action and nonviolent protest, or is it time to rethink our approach altogether?

Curious to hear your thoughts. Am I being inconsiderate or even naive for thinking that meaningful change might require a more radical approach? Or are there examples of nonviolent protests that have genuinely succeeded in creating lasting, systemic change that I’m overlooking?