General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: This message was self-deleted by its author [View all]muriel_volestrangler
(106,620 posts)"The core meaning of violence is the deliberate infliction of bodily violation or harm on one individual human being by another. " Cambridge Dictionary of Sociology
"Violence is the exertion of substantial force, either physical or emotional, with the intent of causing harm to another individual or group of individuals." Gale Encyclopedia of Public Health
" (1) the use of force to cause physical harm, death, or destruction (physical violence); (2) the causing of severe mental or emotional harm, as through humiliation, deprivation, or brainwashing, whether using force or not (psychological violence); (3) more broadly, profaning, desecrating, defiling, or showing disrespect for (i.e., doing violence to) something valued, sacred, or cherished" Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy
"Violence is an aggressive form of behaviour. It is an intentional act against another person. Generally, violence is a physical act, although it can take the form of bullying. It is illegal to threaten a person with violence. People can suffer mental damage from threats of violence as much as people suffer physical damage from physical attacks." Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia
"Violence is a property of force. A force is violent if it violates, i.e. if it breaks and destroys that to which it is applied." Palgrave Macmillan Dictionary of Political Thought
and so on. So, no, pushing barriers aside that separate one part of a public space from another is not "violence".