People have a right to become angry. They absolutely don't have any right to override the will of a project maintainer.
By the way, isn't this a great opportunity? The code is open. Fork it. Seize the day. Become a better maintainer, and build a community around your fork. Ensure the community needs and wants are aligned with yours. Steer that ship. Gain prestige. And money, maybe.
If someone is a bad maintainer, there will be no community, no prestige, and no money.
I'll clarify. I meant that people are entitled to their own emotions, and being angry is ok. What's not ok is to hurl the anger towards somebody. In this case, there are lots of other good options, all of them more productive and compassionate than simply grabbing the pitchforks.
No, you do have the right to be angry, even for something you’re not paying for. Absence of a financial agreement does not mean dissolution of basic community norms.
By the way, isn't this a great opportunity? The code is open. Fork it. Seize the day. Become a better maintainer, and build a community around your fork. Ensure the community needs and wants are aligned with yours. Steer that ship. Gain prestige. And money, maybe.
If someone is a bad maintainer, there will be no community, no prestige, and no money.