I can't put such a thing past the leftist nuts in this country.
Frankly, to me these demonstrations are somewhat odd in character, which could well be used to be off-putting to those whom we seek to convince. To me it makes more political sense to organize and promote more folks being seen carrying without any apparent political purpose: thousands of acts walking down a road alone, working behind the counter of a convenience store at night, walking a pedestrian through a dark parking lot... Make it seem "normal" by acting as if it is. Such acts seem to me to do more to convince the public of the necessity and safety provided by an armed citizenry than demonstrations such as these.
Not long ago, we were getting daily visits by a pack of coyotes in ones and twos. Before I went to go to the lower part of the property to go weeding, I strapped on my .357, in part to protect my dog. I worked up the property line to the county road and was walking home, that big black bulge clinging to my left hip for a cross-draw. This is rural/suburban California not far from Santa Cruz, perhaps the most rabidly communist County jurisdiction to be found in the State. Needless to say, I got bug-eyed stares from the neighbors, but I think it was that I had forgotten I had it on that was most effective, just walking with my weed bag, my dog (about 30-50 feet away off leash on our land), and my gun. I've been asked about it, so it gives me a chance for a real "teaching moment." The explanation has yet to fail to make sense to the neighbors, particularly as regards protecting the dog.
What you describe is what the men were doing when they were charged. No politics just out for a meal.