Is it Ironic? If we are trying to send them a message I don't mind if they listen in on it.

Thanks for the (funny) vote of confidence.

- The OP

How many people do you think are capable of running their own mail server?

There is no irony here. People make the best use of the tools that they have to prevent a future where they wouldn't be able to use such tools because the government would ban/stop the protest.

By your logic, they should stop using their cellphones also and use carrier pigeons.

If they were using facebook to organize a boycott of facebook, then that would be ironic. This really isn't.