Sounds peaceful to me, unless they're rioting, looting, attacking/murdering people? Have they even shot at anyone yet or taken hostages?
If they have to block a few roads and burn a few bits of rubber to get the attention of their (supposed, I can't comment) oppressors, that seems quite peaceful.
I know to us it seems a little extreme yes, but on the scale of what's peaceful and what isn't, I'd say a bit of minor inconvenience in road travel and some burning tyres is pretty peaceful <3