It has been done by notable people from the leftists, the hippies, and the Civil Rights bunch.
But if serious physical confrontations are anticipated, especially gunplay, only the left would put women in harm's way unless they decided to be there. Many ranch/farm women I know would not back down from a scrap.
The Norks and Chinese marched women and children ahead of their troops as human shields, cowboys don't, and this sounds like a smear to make those who rose to the Bundys defense out to be cowards.
Expect attacks from all directions, and especially on the web. If they can get traction with some nonsense, they will flog it.
Muslims and leftists put women and children in harms way.