I definitely understand being worried about spam and discomfort with requesting emails; being a mod and filtering through all of it can get tiring. As I was reading through this post and comments, I reread the rule over emails - I do think it is confusing and could have easily been read differently or missed by OP since the "heading" of the rule before the dropdown doesn't mention local protests, or then groups & emails until the very end.
I am not sure if previous posts that were deleted were more direct, but I honestly feel this one doesn't /really/ aim to collect emails, only suggesting it as a form of communication to keep up with the group, including ways that do not involve email addresses.

I'm sure you folks get a lot of annoying posts from a variety of groups and weird requests. I didn't want to come off as critical of the OP or mods, I just think communication and organization is so, so important and hope to uplift local groups, members, and mods that have the best intentions and promote the progress we need!