You can stress out that those who were banned had friends standing up for them who may have not stood up for "randoms", attempting to persuade by implying bias and achieving the wanted result by that: people discredit attempts to defend the convicts based on alleged bias and thus agree with the decision of the staff.
Or you can stress out that those who were banned did a lot for the well-being of the community and the server both in-game and forums, more than any "random" people, attempting to persuade by implying value and achieving the wanted result by that: people condemn the bans for their alleged damage and disagree with the decision of the staff.
There is no more single truth in play when ways of communication can shape or divide the public stance on the subject this well. Because who says they weren't liked? Who says they weren't valuable? The two can easily be linked with eachother as well, rendering any side of the arguement no better than the other.
Perhaps only the evidence allegedly supporting the decision can answer our queries.