There is a gradual escalation of levels of violence, it’s not all-or nothing. One is positioning your body to demonstrate you are willing to act. Another is pushing and shoving. Another is blunt weapons and shields, another is sharp and less-lethal weapons, another is firearms and explosives and modern military tactics.

By engaging in a slow escalation, you are participating in a kind of gentleman’s agreement, respecting the lives of your adversaries and demonstrating your values of mercy and justice. When someone escalates directly to live fire, they show that they do not ascribe any value to the lives of people they struggle against. Typically it’s the fascists and imperialists who do that.