Did the militaristic response work, or was it the actions of trusted community leaders that brought about calm?

Just let them keep looting and rioting?

For being nonviolent.

No. He was killed for being someone the system was designed to suppress but defying the system.

John Brown and Nat Turner didn't practice non-violence and they faired a lot worse with far less result.

I thought not.

Which is what everyone on all sides wanted----except for the peaceful protestors and the Gray Family.

After watching at least a hundred cops stay bunched up to protect the police station for the better part of an hour while the looting of that CVS store went on unopposed, I began to think there was something strange going on. Then I saw another large group of police in riot gear who were right outside the same CVS building just standing in the street while it was allow to burn. There been no effort to calm the crowds or disperse them, but now the governor has a 'justifiable' reason to call up the National Guard and haul out the heavy military vehicles.

The chief of police is already putting the blame of the protestors, and the media has totally forgotten about the victim to capitalize on the violence.

Who are the U.S. Senators for Maryland?
Have they weighed in on this yet?

She says they will armed, and have "up-armored" vehicles as well as other military equipment.

Welcome to Baltimore.