Directly to eliminate perceived "bullying" (thus it still being a sort of safe space. Fine).

But not allowing any discussion lower down that relates back to the post of whoever has ignored you curtails what could otherwise be a meaningful discussion with the rest of the thread participants. How would the ignorer know what followed anyways...they already have that person ignored? What's the harm in replying? If the response is bullying, then sure, suspend someone. But if it's simply making a germane reply that disagrees with the ignorer, that's still waaaay too overprotective.