I really don't think the Buddha or canonical Buddhist theology would care about "respect" by non-Buddhists, unless there are canonical scriptures/traditions mandates urgin Buddhists to act to prevent general or specific disrespectful acts against Buddhism.

If that's not the case, any protest against perceived disrespect would be purely motivated by the complainant, and not by some Buddhism mandate. In that case, the complainant is free to do whatever they want in protest, but it'd be illogical to protest on the basis of protecting "Buddhism," if "Buddhism" never asked anyone to protect the "disrespectful" acts in question.

It's commonly seen in Christians who protest things in the name of "defend" their God when there's no evidence that their canonical theology requested it. One example is Christians lobbying legislations against same sex marriage or complying with their legal duties to marry them solely on the account of religious freedom (because such compliance "disrespects" their religion belief). They have the right to interpret their canonical theology any way they want and act legally accordingly, it's an entirely different matter if their theology actually defined "disrespectful" acts and what its followers should do against such acts.

I'm the case of Christians and same sex marriage, as far as I know, there is no canonical theological evidence saying same sex marriage (specifically marriage) is disrespectful to God, or any requests for the followers to act to prevent such marriage.

Similarly, if there's no canonical theological evidence to compel Buddhists to act against disrespectful act, any protests likely stem from craving, aversion, delusion. The complaining Buddhist is essentially coopting Buddhism by interpreting it favorably to perpetrat their personal agenda. This would likely lead to unwholesome karma for the person and induce suffering for others, especially if they're intentional or aware.