Anecdotes << epidemiological studies. I've posted a couple in the past which showed little to no increase from protests - not zero new cases, but the overall impacts were negligible, likely because of some masking and outdoor events combined with overall distancing of the population increasing during the protests.
The thread and arguments I responded and posted about were not anecdotes vs studies. But about actions of these people. You posted about the Maine wedding, Kightmoves replied that the pastor should be jailed, Knight Shift asked if the protesters should be jailed also, you said they are not the same thing. But there were protesters who did not wear masks and there were protesters who did not socially distances. Also, at least in NJ and NY the protesters as a whole ignored government orders of gathering size. In these instances the virus was spread to police men and others. So I think the Maine preacher and the protesters who broke the rules are both culpable.