Here's the thing. Most people into the federated alternatives aren't really going to the old place any more. I mean I'll admit I've been taking a look at r/place every now and then. But otherwise I'm not engaging with my usual haunts there. That's why there's not so many people to make a big impact on the canvas for any of the federated projects.
However there are still a lot of people still active that are unhappy with spez and his activities. Which explains why that message has a lot more traction there.