The Vision Festival was packed every night, always has been for the four years it's been happening.
Ever since taking office, the Obama administration has sought to accommodate Islamist demands that freedom of expression be curbed, lest it offend Muslims and stoke violence. For example, in 2009, the administration co-sponsored a United Nations Human Rights Council resolution along those lines.
Extremely strong, effective, tenacious, and powerful political networks can be built when you fight losing battles as well as when you win.