My 2 cents:

(1) The freedom to cover your face if you want to, should not even be a topic of discussion. Who is anyone outside the protest movement to criticize? Just lead by example, and go protest in metropolitan UK with your face uncovered yourself, if you feel strongly about it.

(2) On the silence: I was not particularly impressed. Yes its a defensive posture that worked. But so does having a set of pre-agreed talking points and staying strictly on-message without getting drawn into specious arguments. The latter would have the potential to put the other side on the defensive if done with discipline and skill.

- Shyaku