Peaceful protests have literally never solved anything of significance. Perhaps I'm ignorant to something, but if there has ever been a nationwide peaceful protest that has accomplished something, I'd love to hear it. I'd love to hear stories from non US nations as well if there are stories there.
MLK was certainly preferable for the government. Malcolm was murdered by the NOI though. I would've expected the government to have killed him by that point, no idea why he wasn't. Violence would've been reasonable. Killing Strom Thurmond could've only turned out well.
How have the protests helped so far? And I'm completely willing to do this, I just lack literally any of the means to do it. I don't expect most people to do this. But there's enough people with nothing left to lose, to do something. Anything. I don't like violence. But protests only work when the government cares about popularity and giving the people what they want. I'd like for peace to work. But there's either causing real interference, or waiting this out. I don't think many of us will be around unscathed by that point.