The high-status vs low-status, demand vs request point is interesting. Is it possible that this is where the enmity begins? That a lot of people who wouldn't denigrate the Muslim faith normally end up calling it ridiculous because that's a good soldier, ditto for slippery slope and other arguments, and their real reason for joining draw a picture of Mohammed day is because they feel slighted by the way they were asked not to draw such pictures?

Another possibility is that such an event functions as a move in some game of conflict between them; doing something that is easily characterised as harmless fun which necessitates (what can be easily characterised as) a huge over-reaction is a powerful move.

Also, I really like the last part of your footnote, about consequentialist morality keeping disagreements honest and empirical.