Besides the obvious correlation to an external event, I think another major factor here is the rolling stone effect - "x, y, and z removed $(abhorrent content),

Besides the obvious correlation to an external event, I think another major factor here is the rolling stone effect - "x, y, and z removed $(abhorrent content), why didn't you?". No-one wants to be left holding this hot potato. I believe a conspiracy (in the legal sense) requires communication - peer pressure doesn't.