The death penalty is internationally recognized as barbaric and cruel. US is a leader in number of executions, and Texas specifically. US also one of 7 nations that executes juveniles. Activists have been largely peaceful despite much hyped media reports to the contrary. Only violence on part of protesters was largely in self-defense and while being chased by police.
Direct action has a long and esteemed tradition.
Participants are courageous and show great moral fiber, and follow in the footsteps of MLK and Gandhi. Current acts of police repression in Philadelphia have put civil liberties in grave danger. This is used so often, that is not worth responding to, yet this old tactic effectively uses the most potent prejudices in society to divide people. Must be challenged. The actions involved people, young students mostly, taking responsibility for issues in most cases far removed from their own lives, calling on them to stand up for the rights of the most ignored and vilified segment of the population.