Thank you for sharing this thoughtful assessment. I agree entirely that mass marches and demonstrations are overrated and often counterproductive. They can easily be hijacked by agents provocateur, ignored by mainstream media, and smeared as “violent” even if there are isolated outbreaks of vandalism. (“If it bleeds, it leads”) And if popular uprisings persist and spread (like the “occupy” movement,) they can be easily crushed by brutal tactics like tasers, tear gas, and pepper spray in their faces.
True satyagraha campaigns, as you suggest, need morally impeccable and charismatic leadership (e.g. Gandhi, MLK, Wangari Maathai), clear objectives, and good PR, We must be mindful, strategic, and relentless. Gene Sharp’s manual “From Dictatorship to Democracy” is a superb guide to strategic nonviolent resistance to tyranny. And if can be downloaded for free from the Albert Einstein Institute.