I think you are right about the statues being a distraction but there was an article in the last week that really opened my eyes. Briefly, the author started off with the observation we always hear, “Why do they (the street activists) do that? Surely they know that behavior doesn’t win people over, doesn’t change minds.”
Of course they know that but that isn’t why they do it. It is their way of showing the world and especially their opposition just who has the power. It is spiking in the end zone. It is the Victory Lap. It is telling anyone who might have the audacity to stand up to them that they will get their ass kicked, their skull fracture if they are lucky and possibly even murdered with absolute impunity because the police and government are behind them.
This is exactly what I have been trying to point out, why I have been explaining it is so important that they be stopped. I have reached a few people but most just don’t get it.
+
“Of course they know that but that isn’t why they do it. It is their way of showing the world and especially their opposition just who has the power. It is spiking in the end zone. It is the Victory Lap. It is telling anyone who might have the audacity to stand up to them that they will get their ass kicked, their skull fracture if they are lucky and possibly even murdered with absolute impunity because the police and government are behind them.”
If you are talking about violence at antifa rallies, there have been counter rallies by right wing groups prepared to defend themselves. They have kicked antifa azz on several occasions. Look for videos on the battle of Berkeley.