We have to be prepared for the well-funded, well-organised Muslim groups to jump on our petition and say - again - the petition is against all Muslim people. As they seem to have access to an unlimited supply of Useful Idiots of every sort, we have to at some stage devise soundbites to counter the verbal attack. Immediately shoot down in flames what their rep says. They will try to steer any conversation to these events being perped by criminals. They will steer away from any debate about taharrush and general hostility and attacks on women being endemic in ME-NA.
No doubt some apologist for NYE will say the men came upon a group of people out in the square bringing in the NY and it was just high jinx, men letting off steam trying to dance and bring in the NY. Or somesuch. I have been listening to them for years and years, and their frontmen are well trained (i.e. CAGE): softy-spoken, every-so-reasonable, smiles, careful not to talk over anyone, polite to a fault.