Kinda trying to piece some ideas together here. If there's theory on this, please send it.
For example, the George Floyd protests were very violent by U.S. standards but we never got to the point of, say, a massacre on the White House lawn. Instead, it was mostly tear gas, police brutality, and the media apparatus quickly countering with propaganda.
If a movement can't be taken down with propaganda (i.e.; :vote: and it will all go away), then the state will need to use more brutal force to maintain itself, correct?
Yes, and the situation could get much worse before it gets better as the state starts to lose its monopoly on violence.
Imagine police departments, armed to the teeth as they are, deciding they don't give a damn about the mayor/governor ordering them to stand down when facing protestors.