Criticism of the photo is not primarily about their appearance, it’s the message on their shirts which is now acknowledged may be “dumb.” (Wasn’t acknowledged in first rebuttal but is now with the flood of people pointing out the intentional omission of that context.)
But the reality is that it’s not just dumb, it’s borderline offensive. It’d be like going to a historical cathedral that is popular with tourists, but especially with religious tourists, wearing a shirt declaring one’s absence of religion as a happy and liberated atheist, specifically made for the trip.
Or a 0.0 shirt at the Boston Marathon celebrating the antithesis of the event/venue.
It’s a bit at odds.
These people weren’t trying to fly under the radar with shirts like that I don’t think.
The internet can be cruel, but it is also a town square and marketplace where ideas are shared and discussed. That’s happening here.
Not every criticism or observation that isn’t praise is bullying.