I think the point that the supporters of a peaceful revolution are trying to make is that nonviolent resistance itself is the key to persuading, and thus disarming, the military and the power structure. No revolution has ever come about through simple peaceful protests. But if the resistance movement can convince the military to refuse to perform any more massacres or beatings, mainly by making these massacres seem futile, then they will win through sheer force of will. It is one of the hardest things in the world to do, but it is also one of the most effective vehicles of change, when it finally works.