I'm watching this happen on a small scale right here at home. I've been going to meetings with local equestrians who are fighting a plan to create a mountain bike amusement park that would take over our favorite local riding trails. Currently, both bikes and horseback riders share the trails without conflict. By our third meeting, the group voted to take the position to ban bicycles.
I think this is very counter-productive to our cause and will backfire. It's the most extreme position we could possibly take. I watched as group members increasingly reinforced this idea, and rational arguments had no effect.
Granted, this is a minuscule example. But the principle applies.
--------------------------------
fear is the thief of dreams