"Sermon #49,682"

Non-violence only works when your opponent has a basic moral code. That's the whole point.

You're appealing to their inner sense of morality, and justice.
That's your message to them.
This btw is why such tactics do not work on 'actual' tyrants. Presidents for Life Great Helmsman or Corporate CEO's.

That lot will just shoot you.

That bunch has no "morality" other than their power, and wealth. From their point of view the more imprisoned disappeared or shot the better. That's how they send "their' messages.
In these situations you either have a war of liberation or flee.

There's 'no' third option there.

As for situations where Non-Violence will eventually work. Say in assorted Democracies like ours or borderline tyrannies that still somewhat abide by the law.

Yes here there are possibilities.

The Civil Rights Movement was at least partly successful in this country because no matter the hardness of racial traditions. There was still a small light of morality even in the harshest segregationist.

Not many know that Governor George Wallace of Mississippi eventually changed, and asked the forgiveness of his state's African Americans,...which they gave.
We're funny that way.

Hearts.

Half the battle of Non-Violence is opening the hearts of those resisting any change for the good. The keys to these hearts were forged by the likes of Walt Whitman Gandhi Emma Goldman Tom Paine Dr. King folks like James Baldwin Pete Seeger John Lennon, and Bessie Smith.
There were, and are many more known, and unknown. These souls are all around us.
I guess I'm saying for the Harsh angry times we're in now an appeal to those we think heartless is not a total waste of time.
They in fact have hearts. Hidden angry hearts, but hearts none the less.

I keep thinking of Governor Wallace he stood in the door of the University of Mississippi to prevent it's integration. Yet even 'he' changed. His soul was reborn he changed for the good.

This tells me there is hope, and that 'anything' for the good is possible.