--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Displays of force in response to mostly…" description: "\"Displays of force in response to mostly peaceful demonstrations can be counterproductive.\" — Eric Holder" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e52/eric-holder-7429_counterproductive_displays-of-force-in-response-to-mostly_3185421.jpg" --- # Displays of force in response to mostly peaceful… ![“Displays of force in response to mostly peaceful demonstrations can be counterproductive.” quote by Eric Holder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e52/eric-holder-7429_counterproductive_displays-of-force-in-response-to-mostly_3185421.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e52/eric-holder-7429_counterproductive_displays-of-force-in-response-to-mostly_3185421.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e52/eric-holder-7429_counterproductive_displays-of-force-in-response-to-mostly_3185421.jpg) > “Displays of force in response to mostly peaceful demonstrations can be counterproductive.” [Eric Holder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-holder/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Using force against peaceful protests often backfires, undermining legitimacy and escalating tension. **In simple terms:** Force against peace can worsen conflict. Key Takeaway Seek non‑violent solutions. Themes justice non‑violence politics Mood cautious critical thoughtful Type political ethical When to use this quote - law enforcement - activist gatherings - policy debates Key Concepts state power civil disobedience public perception Questions to Reflect On - When is force justified? - How can dialogue replace intimidation? A Different Perspective Force may be seen as necessary for order by some. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Counterproductive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/counterproductive/) [Demonstrations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demonstrations/) [Demonstrations Counterproductive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demonstrations-counterproductive-5853585/) [Displays Force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/displays-force-5853587/) [Force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/force/) [Mostly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mostly/) [Peaceful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peaceful/) [Peaceful Demonstrations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peaceful-demonstrations-2385451/) [Response](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/response/) [Response Peaceful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/response-peaceful-5853586/) ## Related quotes > [Peaceful demonstrations are essential to our democratic system. Unfortunately, some individuals have engaged in unlawful and dangerous activity, including arson, rioting, looting, and damaging…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-wheeler/peaceful-demonstrations-are-essential-to-our-democratic-system/) [Ted Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-wheeler/) > [I would like to address the peoples of the world, especially the Arab peoples and the US people. Their silence over the violations against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muqtada-al-sadr/i-would-like-to-address-the-peoples-of-the-world-especially-the-arab/) [Muqtada al Sadr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muqtada-al-sadr/) > [Michael Brown's tragic death has revealed a deep distrust between some in the Ferguson community and its police force. It also developed a need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-holder/michael-brown-s-tragic-death-has-revealed-a-deep-distrust-between/) [Eric Holder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-holder/) > [Many are observing Ferguson and witnessing the anger, demonstrations, looting and vandalism and calling for quiet. But quiet isn't enough. The absence of noise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/many-are-observing-ferguson-and-witnessing-the-anger-demonstrations/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [We opened a shop in Rotherham which does free demonstrations every day, six days a week and it's been very popular.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-oliver/we-opened-a-shop-in-rotherham-which-does-free-demonstrations-every/) [Jamie Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-oliver/) > [One of my inspirations, Harry Houdini, remains an icon of the art because he defied our primal fears. His demonstrations in the early 20th…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-angel/one-of-my-inspirations-harry-houdini-remains-an-icon-of-the-art/) [Criss Angel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-angel/) > [If a huge number of people call for change, the government will have to react. If you want to avoid uprisings, or demonstrations, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamed-elbaradei/if-a-huge-number-of-people-call-for-change-the-government-will-have/) [Mohamed ElBaradei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamed-elbaradei/) > [I beg you not to resort to demonstrations, for they have become nothing but burned paper.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muqtada-al-sadr/i-beg-you-not-to-resort-to-demonstrations-for-they-have-become/) [Muqtada al Sadr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muqtada-al-sadr/) > [People look at me, they know I've appeared in costume dramas and they automatically assume I must be a Tory, I must be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-stevens/people-look-at-me-they-know-i-ve-appeared-in-costume-dramas-and-they/) [Dan Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-stevens/) > [I was part of the draft resistance movement in L.A. where we did demonstrations at the draft centre and burned our cards and made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheech-marin/i-was-part-of-the-draft-resistance-movement-in-l-a-where-we-did/) [Cheech Marin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheech-marin/) > [I've played hundreds of protests. I've marched on dozens of picket lines. I've strummed my guitar at innumerable demonstrations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-morello/i-ve-played-hundreds-of-protests-i-ve-marched-on-dozens-of-picket/) [Tom Morello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-morello/) > [Well to be perfectly frank with you I never created art or have done demonstrations for anyone before myself artistically. I always do it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-angel/well-to-be-perfectly-frank-with-you-i-never-created-art-or-have-done/) [Criss Angel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-angel/) > [I remember when I was 11, I did some Kung-fu demonstrations in Hong Kong in 1974.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jet-li/i-remember-when-i-was-11-i-did-some-kung-fu-demonstrations-in-hong/) [Jet Li](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jet-li/) > [Just a moment ago nature put on one of its most spectacular demonstrations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/just-a-moment-ago-nature-put-on-one-of-its-most-spectacular/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [“People are tired of being told that it's possible... It's time to show them how it can be possible. Leadership is demonstration.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/people-are-tired-of-being-told-that-it-s-possible-it-s-time-to-show/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) ## More by Eric Holder > [Though this nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, in things racial we have always been and I believe continue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-holder/though-this-nation-has-proudly-thought-of-itself-as-an-ethnic-melting/) [Eric Holder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-holder/) > [The full resources of the Department of Justice have been committed to the investigation into Michael Brown's death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-holder/the-full-resources-of-the-department-of-justice-have-been-committed/) [Eric Holder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-holder/) > [Ferguson and St. Louis County are not the first places that we have become engaged to ensure fair and equitable policing, and they will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-holder/ferguson-and-st-louis-county-are-not-the-first-places-that-we-have/) [Eric Holder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-holder/) > [Some have argued that the President is required to get permission from a federal court before taking action against a United States citizen who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-holder/some-have-argued-that-the-president-is-required-to-get-permission/) [Eric Holder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-holder/) > [I look forward to working with the NRA to come up with ways in which we can use common sense approaches to reduce the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-holder/i-look-forward-to-working-with-the-nra-to-come-up-with-ways-in-which/) [Eric Holder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-holder/) > [This is going to be a very transparent Justice Department. But I'm not gonna sacrifice the safety of the American people or our ability…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-holder/this-is-going-to-be-a-very-transparent-justice-department-but-i-m-not/) [Eric Holder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-holder/) > [I have loved the Department of Justice ever since, as a young boy, I watched Robert Kennedy prove during the Civil Rights Movement how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-holder/i-have-loved-the-department-of-justice-ever-since-as-a-young-boy-i/) [Eric Holder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-holder/) > [You constantly hear about voter fraud... but you don't see huge amounts of vote fraud out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-holder/you-constantly-hear-about-voter-fraud-but-you-don-t-see-huge-amounts/) [Eric Holder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-holder/) > [I'm a 21st-century guy, secure in who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-holder/i-m-a-21st-century-guy-secure-in-who-i-am/) [Eric Holder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-holder/) > [I'll leave here with my head held high and with confidence that history will judge my time here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-holder/i-ll-leave-here-with-my-head-held-high-and-with-confidence-that/) [Eric Holder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-holder/) > [On a personal level, I've seen a lot in my time as attorney general, but few things have affected me as greatly as my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-holder/on-a-personal-level-i-ve-seen-a-lot-in-my-time-as-attorney-general/) [Eric Holder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-holder/) > [It is the thing that keeps me up at night - the notion that you have individuals in the United States who are looking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-holder/it-is-the-thing-that-keeps-me-up-at-night-the-notion-that-you-have/) [Eric Holder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-holder/) > [Guantanamo is a chief recruiting tool for al-Qaida. It has put a wedge between the United States and at least some of its allies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-holder/guantanamo-is-a-chief-recruiting-tool-for-al-qaida-it-has-put-a-wedge/) [Eric Holder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-holder/) > [I don't have any intention of resigning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-holder/i-don-t-have-any-intention-of-resigning/) [Eric Holder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-holder/) > [Michael Brown's tragic death has revealed a deep distrust between some in the Ferguson community and its police force. It also developed a need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-holder/michael-brown-s-tragic-death-has-revealed-a-deep-distrust-between/) [Eric Holder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-holder/) [Explore all 91 Eric Holder quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-holder/) ## More Counterproductive quotes > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [It's counterproductive. The problem with sentimentality is that it kills the emotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-pierre-dardenne/it-s-counterproductive-the-problem-with-sentimentality-is-that-it/) [Jean-Pierre Dardenne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-pierre-dardenne/) > [“The tools of the Internet and social media have made it possible to track, test, iterate, and improve marketing to the point where these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/the-tools-of-the-internet-and-social-media-have-made-it-possible-to/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [It's a terrible and tragic and counterproductive policy to avoid communicating with people who disagree with us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/it-s-a-terrible-and-tragic-and-counterproductive-policy-to-avoid/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [Everything that the administration has done has been counterproductive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-mckibben/everything-that-the-administration-has-done-has-been-counterproductive/) [Bill McKibben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-mckibben/) > [We are born for synergy, just like the feet, just like the hands, just like the eyes, just like the rows of upper and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/we-are-born-for-synergy-just-like-the-feet-just-like-the-hands-just/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [I would need to see changes in the Iraq governance. Otherwise I don't think strikes are going to have any impact and could be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-schiff/i-would-need-to-see-changes-in-the-iraq-governance-otherwise-i-don-t/) [Adam Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-schiff/) > [“Regret is counterproductive. It's looking back on a past that you can't change. Questioning things as they occur can prevent regret in the future.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-hoover/regret-is-counterproductive-it-s-looking-back-on-a-past-that-you-can/) [Colleen Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-hoover/) > [I spent so much of my life being counterproductive to society that to be in a place where I'm able to help people has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jelly-roll/i-spent-so-much-of-my-life-being-counterproductive-to-society-that-to/) [Jelly Roll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jelly-roll/) > [Tackling the environment should not be a licence to lecture people, because they have no excuse not to exercise, or eat their fruit and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lansley/tackling-the-environment-should-not-be-a-licence-to-lecture-people/) [Andrew Lansley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lansley/) > [I want to compliment the fraternity and sorority organizations for taking the time to meet with us and then removing their support from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-mccaskill/i-want-to-compliment-the-fraternity-and-sorority-organizations-for/) [Claire McCaskill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-mccaskill/) > [Dwelling too much on the past, other than to learn specific things is counterproductive for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-condit/dwelling-too-much-on-the-past-other-than-to-learn-specific-things-is/) [Carlos Condit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-condit/) > [What I do know is that drones are a modern weapon. When used effectively, when taking out ISIS or terrorist leaders, that's pretty impressive.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/what-i-do-know-is-that-drones-are-a-modern-weapon-when-used/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [I'm not going to shoot seven days a week. I think it's counterproductive. I think you're going to have people stumbling around after a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-corman/i-m-not-going-to-shoot-seven-days-a-week-i-think-it-s/) [Roger Corman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-corman/) > [We've observed that people who stall in their personal growth work often have counterproductive soft addictions that stand in their way of growth and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-wright/we-ve-observed-that-people-who-stall-in-their-personal-growth-work/) [Judith Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-wright/) [Browse all 118 Counterproductive quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/counterproductive/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Displays of force in response to mostly peaceful demonstrations can be counterproductive.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Eric Holder" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-holder/displays-of-force-in-response-to-mostly-peaceful-demonstrations-can/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Counterproductive" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-holder/displays-of-force-in-response-to-mostly-peaceful-demonstrations-can/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e52/eric-holder-7429_counterproductive_displays-of-force-in-response-to-mostly_3185421.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e52/eric-holder-7429_counterproductive_displays-of-force-in-response-to-mostly_3185421.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e52/eric-holder-7429_counterproductive_displays-of-force-in-response-to-mostly_3185421.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Displays of force in response to mostly peaceful demonstrations can be counterproductive.” — Eric Holder", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Eric Holder", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-holder/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Displays of force in response to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-holder/displays-of-force-in-response-to-mostly-peaceful-demonstrations-can/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-holder/displays-of-force-in-response-to-mostly-peaceful-demonstrations-can/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```