It takes a lot to be brave, and a lot more when no one else is being brave with you. Few are willing to stand up to the woke mobs, and the fewer that do only embolden the mob even further. To lessen the power of bullies, we need only to stop capitulating to them.

Mumford and Sons banjo player Winston Marshall had the opportunity to plant his foot down against those who bully and harm others in order to push their politics and keep their narrative unspoiled. For a time, he did, but then quickly capitulated as the pressure built up against him.

According to Variety, Marshall started off on the right foot. He had just gotten done reading Andy Ngo’s recently released book “Unmasked,” which covers the crimes, tactics, and history of Antifa.

“Finally had the time to read your important book. You’re a brave man,” Marshall tweeted to Ngo.

It could have been a big moment. More people would have taken an interest in Ngo’s important work covering one of the worst groups in America. One that has destroyed, burned, beaten, and even killed in the name of hard-left politics. It could have inspired more people, including celebrities, to speak out against the fascistic left that resorts to extreme measures to get what they want.

Instead, Marshall was swamped by the woke mob and, unlike Gina Carano before him, crumpled like a cheap suit. He deleted the tweet praising Ngo and issued a statement saying that he’s not only sorry for praising Ngo, but that he was stepping away from the band for a while:

“Over the past few days I have come to better understand the pain caused by the book I endorsed. I have offended not only a lot of people I don’t know, but also those closest to me, including my bandmates and for that I am truly sorry,” Marshall wrote. “As a result of my actions I am taking time away from the band to examine my blindspots. For now, please know that I realise how my endorsements have the potential to be viewed as approvals of hateful, divisive behaviour. I apologise, as this was not at all my intention.”

pic.twitter.com/x9yddYc0g9

— Winston Marshall (@MrWinMarshall) March 10, 2021

The move only made things worse, as people began chiming in to let him know just how cowardly the move was.

The irony is that they labeled him “fascist” for reading the book and complementing the author…

but what’s happening to him now is actually fascist…

— Sara Laughlin (@sarafeed) March 10, 2021

Coward.

You're apologizing to people who do real harm to others for simply speaking opposing opinions over reading a book that exposes them. You've not only reduced yourself but you also empowered them.

— Brandon Morse (@TheBrandonMorse) March 10, 2021

You’re pathetic. You’re apologizing to terrorists. Now I hope you do get canceled.

— Mark Dice (@MarkDice) March 10, 2021

this is really pathetic

— Jessica O’Donnell (@heckyessica) March 10, 2021

I know it is difficult to be courageous instead of cowardly but how disappointing to see you cave to these disgusting bullies.

— Mollie (@MZHemingway) March 10, 2021

Apologizing in 2021 doesn't do shit, everyone is still going to come after you.

If you stuck by what you said, you would still have been out of the band and getting hated on, but you would have at least had respect and support.

But you pussied out so now you'll have nothing.

— Monster Energy Drone Pilot🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏳️‍🌈 (@CountDankulaTV) March 10, 2021

We would have supported you. You didn’t have to do this. Caving to a mob of regressive authoritarians is never a good idea.

— antihero_kate (@antihero_kate) March 10, 2021

You're apologizing to people who support burning, looting, harassing, mobbing, killing, banning books, words, ideas, and people, defunding police, revoking civil rights, and dismantling the common law, our western traditions, and our inherited way of life, by any means necessary.

— russian peasant, gulag escape artist (@doukhobour) March 10, 2021

As I said in my tweet to him, he not only reduced himself in the public eye by caving to bad people, but he also emboldened the people who harm others for political gain even more.

Marshall should absolutely be called out for his apology to these people, but it’s important to also understand that celebrities don’t have a support system in place that would make them feel like they have others there to support them. Many celebrities are alone on an ideological island, and speaking out usually results in what feels like the entire world turning against them.

Few actually have the constitution of Gina Carano. In order to see more bravery from celebrities, they have to know that they’ll be supported, and that opportunities and community will still be there for them when the woke mob has moved on. Right now, many don’t have this reassurance, and they take the cowardly path in response, hoping it will save them from having their lives wrecked and ruined.

We should work on providing a community for center-right to libertarian celebrities. Everyone should feel safe enough to voice their opinion, no matter what that opinion is.