Trademark strategy question of the day

MLA Subconference is "an independent and evolving group of graduate students in the humanities who are interested in creating a new kind of conference environment, in order to propose alternative professional, social, and political possibilities for ourselves and our peers." The FAQ says: "The Subconference is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by the Modern Language Association" (though the "who we are" section of the website does not say this).  Given the political sensitivities involved if the MLA threatened graduate students, how would you counsel the MLA to respond?