we protestors look bad, others do not want to join us, and we become dis-empowered.  (This very common dynamic is further described in One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.)  And then the compassionate people, who were trying to put right the wrongs, bring persecution upon themselves.  The original perpetrators will make good use of that bad image - be sure that the right wing press will highlight any acts of violence by protestors, exactly as they did at Prague - see below.
And the effect of violence is even more destructive than this.  People’s behaviour is often influenced by what they have seen around them.  When people see violence, they become conditioned to feel that that is usual, and they think it less strange when they too begin to indulge in violent acts.  During   

Gandhi’s campaign to free India, the colonial police frequently beat Gandhi and his fellow campaigners.  But the beatings were met with passive resistance.  This is far more likely to stimulate conscience in those carrying out the beatings.  If Gandhi and his accomplices had fought back, the police would have felt completely justified in their violence.    Through non-violence we can correct the wrong conditioning in others - bring them to know that any violence at all can only lead to further violence and suffering.  Violent protest only serves to generate violence.  (More on the psychological causes of war is at: Schools and Toys Which Cause The Global Mental Illness, War.)

So a few tips to best push forward the campaign for a better, fairer world...

DO...hold banners, chain yourself to vehicles, wear a gas mask, wear protective clothing, blow whistles, climb walls, talk to the press, dress up as Gandhi and be prepared to be arrested...

From over 100,000 peaceful protestors at the 2000 IMF-World Bank summit in Prague, the Daily Telegraph chose these violent images to make their headlines, skewing the perception of its readership, and turning potential supporters against a just cause.  The original issue of dropping third world debt was almost lost.  (27/9/2000)  For an eye-witness account see The Prague Riot.

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