Handing them a platform is the exact opposite of “crushing” them. What does crushing them mean in the context of online discourse? That people don’t like what’s being said but absolutely nothing is done to stop the speaker from carrying on and continuing to speak? How are they “crushed”? I’m sure spanking them with downvotes will hurt their feelings?

The opportunity to crush them was taking their soapbox away. Giving it back to them is the exact opposite of that. Internet downvotes are absolutely meaningless.