I agree that when people break rules to protest they should walk into that clear eyed about the fact that they are breaking rules and there will be consequences.
I don’t see why they wouldn’t take up offers to pay the fines, though. Being publicly punished for doing a thing that most people don’t think you should be punished for creates publicity and gets people on your side. If that works and people get on your side, there’s no point in turning down their help.
