Don’t give them martyrs.
Patience will run very thin in the face of unprovoked attacks. If the future unfolds in the manner in which I believe it will, the confrontation is unavoidable. Just as when the bully is taken down several notches by the long suffering victim, so too will those who poke sticks where they ought not be educated in civilized behavior. The bully understands only direct action. Discussion and debate is not their strong suit.