Protestors and activists have to be very careful to manage public reactions.
Alienating the people who don’t care is always a risk.
It’s one reason I don’t go to protests, and generally avoid activism, even though I care greatly about many issues and take discreet action when I can.
My representatives know my views very well, as do many government rule-making bodies that must consider public input.
My neighbors know nothing about this. Even though I’m well known to the press, they have no idea what my politics are.
Activists very much have to be activists. There is often very little space for polite activism without the impolite creation of awareness in the first place.
And the progress of a position also depends on the ability to get work done politely when impoliteness is not needed.
