Non-violence is what Jesus taught us.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18)

“Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)

“And the fruit of justice is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (James 3:18)

What America needs now is a leader – of course, I believe, a Christian leader – who advocates for peaceful resistance, such as Martin Luther King, Jr. did.

Political scientist Erica Chenoweth’s research shows that peaceful protests don’t need the support of a big portion of the population. The evidence shows that when about 3.5% of a affected population actively participates in nonviolent protest, movements have historically never failed to bring about significant change.

In the U.S., that would be 11 million people.

Protests marked by violence seem never to reach that threshold.

Nonviolent campaigns are inclusive—people from all walks of life, including those who would never pick up a weapon, are willing to join peaceful actions. When protests turn violent, they alienate the wider public.

Nonviolence not only draws more people in but also maintains the moral high ground and public sympathy—key ingredients for lasting change.

This was the formula for the Civil Rights Movement, regime change in Poland, the Soviet Union, Tunisia, and Egypt.

In LA, we’ve seen dramatic images of violence, but these have really been isolated incidents that make for good news video.

Media coverage, especially national television and viral social media clips, has amplified the perception of chaos, sometimes giving the false impression that the entire city is engulfed in violence. Some outlets and commentators have tried to contextualize the violence, emphasizing that it involves a small minority of agitators, while most protesters are peaceful. However, sensational images—burning vehicles, clashes—tend to dominate headlines and influence public perception disproportionately.

Trump has played up the violence to justify authoritarian measures, such as federalizing the National Guard and deploying Marines over California’s objections.

The violence is due to agitators and opportunists and no the legitimate protestors taking to the streets peacefully.

There are also documented instances of aggressive police tactics—use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and mass arrests—which some witnesses and activists say have escalated tensions and contributed to the outbreak of violence. I’ve seen video of cops on horseback beating lone protestors without provocation; shooting reporters with rubber bullets as well as peaceful protestors. We know this is not the majority of cops, nor the majority of people in the streets, but people with violent tendencies are going to act violently when they think they can get away with it.

While there are faith leaders involved, those voices need to be amplified. It would be good if one voice rose above the rest. Movements need leaders.

The perception of the protests as nonviolent is at risk, largely due to the outsized media focus on violent incidents and the political exploitation of those images. However, on the ground, organizers and faith leaders are actively working to keep the movement peaceful, emphasizing nonviolent resistance as the most effective and legitimate path forward. The overwhelming majority of participants remain committed to nonviolence, and efforts continue to reclaim the narrative from both violent agitators and those seeking to delegitimize the movement.

Why are these protests important – because Trump’s immigration policies violate God’s precepts. They deny the common human dignity of all people that God expects us to recognize.

“Do not mistreat the foreigner who resides in your land. The foreigner who resides in your land should be treated as the native born. Love them as you love yourself.” (Leviticus 19:33-34)

“Do not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice or take the cloak of a widow as a pledge”( Deuteronomy 24:17)

“Cursed is the one who withholds justice from the foreigner or the fatherless” (Deuteronomy 27:19)

The ultimate non-violent protest against the evil of the world was Jesus going to the cross (Isaiah 53:7, 1 Peter 2:23). He Refused the Devil when he offered him all earthly authority (Matthew 4:8-10). He didn’t call 12 legions of angles to overthrow Rome (Matthew 26:53). He told Peter to put away his sword (Matthew 26:52). He told Pontius Pilate his kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36). He modeled the profound impact that following God’s laws can have when demonstrated for the world without violence or coercion.

Philippians 2:5-8: “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God… humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”