I find it easy to sympathize with these protestors on an emotional level but I don't think these kinds of actions accomplish anything. Peaceful marches, demonstrations, and other types of grassroots movements that don't involve violence are a better option. Things were different in the middle ages. The peasants back then had it much worse, had far fewer options, and the times were just much more rough and violent anyway. To cavalierly dismiss John Ball is a little bit facetious, I think. John Ball suffered grieviously for his beliefs and actions, but inspired reformers for many generations to come with his eloquence and sincerity.