1: Simple rule: if you’re gathering when the sun is up to listen to speeches and scream and occupy public spaces and make people uncomfortable... you’re protesting. Exercising your rights. Have at it. Whatever your views or your reasons...

2: But if you’re waiting for nightfall to loot stores and set fire to buildings and destroy police stations and attack people... you’re not protesting, however just your grievance may be. You’re rioting. And rioting is not and should not be protected; it must be suppressed.

3: This distinction is very simple and fact is that while protests can win, riots never do; they can’t last and they can’t win, because in the end they have neither moral authority nor coherent demands.