Again, the voice of reason I mentioned in the past. However the other voices are not being heard.
Minimal dues are symbolic, but also carry some legal weight.
It is not a case of creating second-class citizens, but rather opening the membership to all, and giving those who need it assurance that they can option membership though a dues waiver. I think a reasonable compromise can be reached. Some inputs for your consideration. Any individual or organisation may be an AL member. Hence its not true that no criteria were specified.