> Sure it was striking given the position

That's the clue to the outrage. It was well known and enjoyed by the general public, and a pair of morons decided they were going to ruin it for everyone, for no clear reason.

> Compare far less outrage when a restaurant chain chopped down a 500 year old tree.

It's a crime, hopefully it gets prosecuted, but it wasn't as iconic.

I don't think there's a mystery here.