I don’t know what these people were thinking, driving into a violent protest that has been going on for months.
What did they say to the rock-throwing crowd, “we’re botanists and we’re here to save you?”
“Back off, man, I’m a scientist!”
I highly doubt that the rabid crowds raging about had the slightest clue as to what they were doing there, let alone knowing what a “botanist” is.
These people drove into a crowd that was in a frenzy and being driven by pure bloodlust. The mob was looking for any convenient victim to slaughter.