What legitimate right must be protected as long as it does not devolve into violence?

The correct answer is the right to strike. This right allows workers to stop working as a form of protest, particularly to negotiate better working conditions, wages, or benefits. It is a crucial aspect of labor rights and collective bargaining within the context of employment. As long as the strike does not escalate into violence, it is considered a legitimate and protected form of expression and action. Strikes are often governed by laws that outline the conditions under which they can take place, ensuring that they remain peaceful while allowing workers to assert their needs.

In contrast, while public assembly and free speech are fundamental rights, they typically focus on expressing opinions and gathering for a common cause rather than specific workplace issues. The right to bear arms, although important, pertains to the individual right to possess firearms and does not directly relate to the negotiation of labor conditions or workplace issues like a strike does. Thus, the right to strike stands out as the answer that aligns directly with the context of employee rights and the nuances of labor relations, where the peaceful exercise of this right is essential for its legitimacy and effectiveness.