Define 'legitimate'

Sunday's lead article was titled, "Was Capitol riot 'legitimate political discourse'? If as a nation we conclude that a large protest can include injuries, even death or intent to cause harm or death, or destruction of property is "legitimate political discourse," shouldn't we also conclude that the many riots that have occurred in the U.S., particularly during the pandemic, that caused injuries, even death or intent to cause harm or death, or destruction of property, are also legitimate political discourse?

Should they go unchecked, even as people are injured or killed and people's stores or livelihoods are burned to the ground?

Cherryl M. Crouch

Arlington Heights