You make good points, especially about being a black man, I hadn't been thinking of that.
My points are still valid, but I want to clarify. For myself...I do not find them agreeable for protesting in front of anyone's residence. There would have to be an extremely urgent issue for me to even consider that and in all likelihood it would never happen.
When i say they are worried about their safety, I am being empathetic and understanding their feelings from their point of view. Who knows what abuse they have endured, real or perceived.
And as you don't know my, I swear I have talked with many people of all different races and ideologies including these guys and I can at least understand where they are coming from, but not necessarily agree with them. And I do find that talking with people and getting to know them, and them getting to know you does have a calming and de-escalating effect. Even racist assholes who know people personally who are the race they despise for instance...tend not to include those people in their thoughts about that race... So, this can be one way to change people gradually...
I saw this in my father throughout his life... He was racist and homophobic when i was a child...yet later in life...He was lucky to work in a very large factory and meet people of different races and sexual persuasions...By the time he was older, I didn't hear the racist and homophobic bullshit he was socialized with. I heard a much more loving, accepting, and tolerant man. So my point isn't that i like what these people are doing. Certainly not. My point is there are things that can be done to make things safer.
Giving them a voice and a place at the table is one. You don't need to be an expert to be heard. Sometimes, simply echoing people's concerns and stating they are real concerns and valid is enough. Sometimes people want more. But a skilled leader knows how to make decisions based on everyone's input and let the citizens know everyone was heard. Don't mistake what I say for any endorsement of the protestors behavior. I don't entirely endorse what the governor and health director have done either. I believe in shared blame where it is due...And much of the time, shared blame is where the truth lie. I'd put the blame at around 15-30% with the state...and 70% with those protestors doing so in front of her house. Both sides can do something to alleviate the situation.