Everyone needs to remember that contrary to our current hazy, nostalgic view of the civil rights demonstrations, they were very unpopular and people criticizing them had the same criticisms they have today. But in the end, they worked and now the right wingers fatuously claim Martin Luther King as one of theirs. (They always claim the winners.)
You’ll note that there were a lot more assholes then than there are now. Baby steps?
My parents were right wingers and I recall that as a little girl their friends were passing around grotesque pamphlets featuring fake pictures of demonstrators destroying property, defecating on the street. You know— the usual. But the movement grew despite all that and progress was made. We still have a long way to go. But don’t let anyone tell you that it doesn’t work.