Occupy Wall Street has fast emerged as the topic of the hour. The protests have quickly spread around the world with Occupy Montreal protests planned for Oct. 15.

It is difficult to discern the exact demands of the group, with only such vague statements as “We are the 99%” popping up over and over. However, the group’s declaration seems more intent on spreading information, for example by pointing out that corporations “continue to block generic forms of medicine that could save people’s lives in order to protect investments that have already turned a substantive profit.” It seems the movement is intended to generate democratic solutions rather than demand instant reform. The group needs to articulate its demands, but the most important factor to their success will be everyone’s commitment to non-violence.

The protests are already gathering bad press. There were hundreds arrested when protestors attempted to march across the Brooklyn Bridge, and a few others were arrested for wearing masks. The protestors must organize themselves to be taken seriously. This means no rioting, violence, or anything else that will give the police an excuse to arrest dozens and dismiss the protest as merely a group of anarchists looking for something to get angry about.  As the G20 protests in Toronto demonstrated, it only takes a few individuals to incite rioting, which ruins other protestors’ ability to protest peacefully.

The same thing will happen to Occupy Wall Street protestors unless they commit to non-violence.  Occupy Wall Street has already demonstrated an enormous following and a solid commitment to peaceful protest. Hopefully this trend continues at Occupy Montreal. On the Facebook page for Occupy Montreal, one individual asserted that there may indeed be a place for violence in the protests. Other commenters were quick to emphasize the centrality of mutual respect.

When it comes to asserting democratic rights, violence only makes the message less convincing. It is easy to dismiss protestors and activists as troublemakers, so when protestors get violent, they just prove what many people already think. Once dismissed by society as illegitimate, protestors have little hope of communicating their message.

Occupy Wall Street has big goals of reforming the financial system and achieving a democracy that is not determined by economic power. Although there doesn’t seem to be a consensus on the specifics of this reform, the campaign has the potential to be a much-needed wake-up call to governments around the world. The current distribution of wealth is problematic and does need to be addressed, and Occupy Wall Street is well placed to call attention to these issues.

We have the opportunity to continue voicing our displeasure with the current economic system at Occupy Montreal, but we will only be successful with a continued and firm commitment to non-violence.