But adding some specific set of demands will accomplish even less: it will alienate supporters who don’t agree with all the demands

That’s “means testing”. A classic move from the wealthy (via neoliberals) to turn a movement against itself and delay action. And why I personally don’t like trying to unite nationwide protests only a central authority or allowing a small unelected group to control a movement. The wealthy are going to try and corrupt it, and their money makes that easy for them.

it will be due to contingent circumstances that neither side was able to predict.

It’s very easy to predict…

The only reason any protest ever has worked, or ever will work is the threat of violence…

We can spend all day dressing it up. But it’s telling our government we won’t stand for what it’s doing. The different flavors of protests, riots, and even coups are all the same threat of violence by citizens against their own government, it’s just how explicit that threat is and how polite the tone we say it in is.

I’m not saying that’s wrong. I’m not saying it’s something to celebrate either.

But people need to fucking understand it is what is, because it might be like that soon.