So, I can understand the sentiment of the players who are 'taking the law in their own hands'; but the victims are innocent or oblivious. They literally just liked the helms, and they don't understand the core values that are being violated, and the reason the protest is being used against them. Attacking the buyers doesn't stop the seller; at all. That would be like attacking someone who comes out of a grocery store who bought GMO foods, who didn't know they bought GMO foods, and then claiming it was an attack on Monsato. It is just moronic and ridiculous.
Don't like what a company does? Speak out against the company. If you see someone who supported it, engage them in conversation and help them understand why not to support the action now; and when it would be appropriate to. I feel most of this 'boycotting' of players with helms, would not exist, if the game was F2P/B2P; possibly even if the helms were 1/3 the price. The price point added with the sub fee and box costs has created quite a bit of animosity.
This just might be the model going forward. Even if you love the game, if you can't respect the producers enough to not take it out on other players, it is time to move on. The respect for the consumer has definitely fallen, compared to how they felt about and treated customers nearly a decade ago. Blame the merger, blame greed, blame the longevity of the game and changing priorities of people running the show ... but they definitely care more about marketing and profit today, than they used to ... and it is fine for some (and profit is the objective of any publicly traded company).
The way the players need to 'flex their power' as OP put it; is if it bothers them enough; cancel your sub and state the reason. Put in 'cash shop and F2P or sub and in-game earnable items only' ... or something else clear and concise; not a rant of anger and indirect statements.
This doesn't effect me at all directly, for my wife and I finally decided it was the end months ago (this time we mean it!!!). The game has changed directions far too much for us. But we also don't come on here trying to stop people from playing, nor the few friends we have that still play. Good for you all
But, this is just one more thing, among the many other that disappoint us with the direction of the company, that adds to the list of why we won't come back; just another broken straw. While we both admit they are putting more effort in raiding; game isn't for us. It isn't an all bad game; but instead of bitching about it, we moved on and still watch a friend progress on their twitch feed when they raid, to support them doing what they enjoy (and extra eyes to give help/pointers on what we see going wrong).
Stop punishing the players, there is no reason to hate each other; you all love the game. Take your animosity out on the ones who deserve it; by creating descriptive, engaging, constructive threads on the official forums. It is the only way to make a point while staying subbed; the only other way to get your point across is to unsub; punishing others in game will not affect them at all.