The basic logic of artificial hierarchies of power is dysfunctional - there is no 'good' way to have people pushing other people around... At least he might be starting to realise this after having empowered these systems as an enforcer himself. This is not really anything new - I can even show videos of organic food stores being shaken down in a similar way for no reason other than that they had a poster up referencing science that backs up the health value of organic food! (a few years ago).

It's a question of definitions and misunderstandings a lot of the time. Real 'rights' cannot be given or taken away, they are just what is right!