Yes. The issue always pops up with nonviolent resistance.

The thing that makes it so effective is the very thing that makes it so hard sometimes. That "thing" is the general human tendency to support and advocate a reasonable response to wrongdoing. When an authority lashes out in retribution far in excess of what supposed wrong has been done, it makes people look upon that authority as less legitimate and good.

But at the same time, it's so hard for those being punished, and their friends and relations as well, to -refrain- from responding in kind, because that -would- be a reasonable response. Not to escalate, but to respond in kind.

But the problem with that is then the authority can point at that and say "aha, look at these violent people" and muddy the waters and make it confusing enough that public sentiment against the authority doesn't have the momentum to build to a point that it could simply compel change.
It's not quite a catch 22, but it sometimes feels that way.