Are they all college kids then?
yeah, good point. Also, in what way is blocking people from going where they want to go "peaceful"? Have they never met another human being before? Other than those of us with a strong sheep gene (about 43% of us), the rest of us tend to get a little upset if we are denied movement for no good reason. The longer it lasts, the more upset we get. A peaceful protest can NOT deny the movement of people not involved in the protest and remain peaceful. Period.
TIL standing in a road holding a sign is violence.
If you use Max Weber’s theory on state use of violence, yes blocking a road deliberately is in fact an act of violence.