It sounds like the aggressors in the TL were the ones that were demanding something. It looks like, as Heather said, Monica meant no harm, and I believe that's the situation. Other users were trying to force their views onto Monica and it got abusive and Monica (rightly) bowed out after an SO employee started bashing her as well. According to Gilles, Monica was vilified for having an opinion that they didn't share.

I looks like the intolerance started with them and they didn't appreciate her opinion/view. It's unreasonable for others to dictate that Monica (or anyone else) follow their opinion. It's an opinion, and everyone's opinion is valid, but you can never force an opinion on someone else. You need to let it go when it reaches that point. That's where the aggressors in the TL crossed the line. And that's why I'm fully behind Monica.