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That he's becoming increasingly more catty and loose with the truth by the day speaks to the protest's effectiveness. Aside from the dropping engagement numbers, the daily deluge of negative press from major media outlets isn't doing their valuation any favors, and as the person responsible for this decision, he's feeling the heat more than anyone.

Also, if they weren't having any effect, he'd simply maintain the previous party line from before the protests about how the community is free to express itself and protest in any way it sees fit.