Here's the thing...
I can't fight violence with violence. Protesting the war by yelling at cops and getting myself arrested seems futile. Bush doesn't care if traffic is disrupted on Market Street. All that will do is cost the city of San Francisco money that they could have been spending on education, social services, and other projects to aid the human good. Instead, I decided to protest the war by supporting peace. I donated to the International Red Cross. I donated to the Mercy Corps. I sent money to organizations that will help Iraqi refugees. It's small, but it made me feel better -- and it's a hell of a lot more productive than carrying a "Food not Bombs" sign that no one will read.