Left or Right: Who's more violent?

Photo by Mika Baumeister

I keep hearing how “law and order” is the core tenant of the right, and how it’s really mostly the left that engages in violence. Certainly, the BLM protests come to mind, which had turned into violent riots in some cases and saw some people’s businesses vanish overnight in flames. Leftist groups like Antifa, are also known for such tactics, and, of course we are seeing cases of violence and vandalism at pro-Palestinian rallies. Groups like Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil, often associated with progressive causes, have engaged in disruptive actions like blocking roads, vandalizing buildings, and other acts of civil disobedience to draw attention to climate issues.

But is it accurate to say that the left engages in more violence?

This is a claim that I frequently hear from those on the right.

After all, there are numerous examples of right-wing individuals and groups engaging in violence and vandalism.

The storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6 had a grou…