There is the mainstream media labeling all protesters as violent, and there are activists condemning other activists for being violent . The word violence has become skewed in modern times, not unlike words like freedom , and equality . So it is necessary that we define the term violence before we can really have any constructive debate about its use. Simply enough, violence can be defined as an act that oppresses another.
Rape is the most obvious and undisputable act of violence.
It is forcefully causing someone to do something that is completely against their will. While this is possible, what the media is condemning as violence is really the opposite. As an example I ll use the anti-FTAA protests in Quebec City, since I was there, and have first hand experience. The media condemned the protesters for being violent for trying to tear down a wall that was erected to keep people from having any chance of influencing a meeting which had the goal of selling away the futures of all these people. Protesters were also called violent for engaging police by throwing back tear gas and rocks and even teddy bears.