Note that lead speakers and other debaters in Braver Angels’ debate on the role of violence in our political system did not necessarily align with conservative vs. liberal opinions. To delineate the two sides of the argument, this debate-page of The Hustings posts ”affirmatives” – opinions aligned with the resolution regarding violence in our political system – in the right column, and “negatives” – those opinions voiced against the resolution, in the left column. 

Other opinions in the affirmative on the Braver Angels Community Debate resolution on the role of violent resistance in our political system …

“The question assumes we have an option of violence or non-violence. It is an illusion. A person looking to change the political system would be a fool not to use every tool at his disposal.”

--Fabian

“If convincing people really doesn’t work, what’s the point of non-violence? (There is also the threat of) economic violence, social violence, not just government – cancel culture.”

--Kirk

“If slaves had violently revolted against their owners, I might have supported that.”

--Joe Pratt

“The non-violent movement is only non-violent on one end. [Martin Luther King, Jr., and other Black civil rights leaders met with violent ends.] How do you balance it out?”

--Commander Solarmind