The notion that China lacks 'proper civil society' is in my mind rooted in a western sense of orientalism and good old fashioned racism. I'm no defender of China, but let's recognize that the same nations trying to punish China because 'human rights'(US, UK) are the same ones responsible for killing close to 1 million Iraqis and creating the largest humanitarian crisis on earth(Yemen).
Is change lacking? Yes. Is there outrage? Also yes.
Of course, had you were to make the point that Western politicians are complete hypocrites then I would wholeheartedly agree. Although, I also don't think that's a uniquely Western phenomenon.
The set of 'Westerners' does not exclude the protesters.
The group that was being attacked was something like 'Westerners who criticize China' (I can't find the exact quote since the OP is no longer visible to me). I'm part of that group and that is why I replied.
Your point that "they're just making a bit of noise in the hope that the protest goes away" is true regarding the establishment. I don't see how anyone would disagree with that.
But we have a right to vote and a right to loudly voice our disagreement. And that's different from China. Right now in HK the government is now basically saying that voting against legislation proposed by the establishment 'might be' a violation of the national security law. That's insane.