USA: MICHAEL JACKSON FANS SHOW THEIR SUPPORT ON EVE OF THE SINGER'S ARRAIGNMENT ON CHARGES HE MOLESTED A CHILD

Record ID: 861257

  • Title: USA: MICHAEL JACKSON FANS SHOW THEIR SUPPORT ON EVE OF THE SINGER'S ARRAIGNMENT ON CHARGES HE MOLESTED A CHILD
  • Date: 15th January 2004
  • Summary: SLATE INFORMATION
  • Embargoed: 30th January 2004 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: SANTA BARBARA/LOS OLVIVOS/CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
  • City:
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA6JL6LB9ZJ2UC4DPW97SJQ2M2G
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Michael Jackson fans show their support on eve of the singer's arraignment on charges he molested a child.
    Jackson fans gathered outside the office of Santa Barbara District Attorney Thomas Sneddon on Thursday (January 15) to protest the prosecution of Jackson and proclaim his innocence. Sneddon had brought the charges.
    Fans wearing pro-Jackson t-shirts and holding banners of support traveled to California from all over the world to show support. While Sneddon's office is located in the town of Santa Barbara, 100 miles north of Los Angeles, his arraignment on Friday (January 16) will take place a further 70 miles north in the sleepy hamlet of Santa Maria.
    "We came here to support Michael and, we believe he's innocent and the charges are preposterous, they are ridiculous, and they're nonsense," said fan Samwa Ghedheb as others rallied in support of the pop star around her.
    A fan from Berlin also talked about why she flew all the way from Germany to stand behind Jackson: "I believe that he's not guilty anyway because he takes care of sick kids and poor people who have no money. A person who would do all this wouldn't be able to do such a bad thing."
    "We support Michael Jackson because he's accused but he can't be guilty. He is a very gentle guy. He's putting some of his money towards disadvantaged and handicapped kids. He's someone that really cares about other people,"
    said a fan from France.
    Later, fans gathered outside of Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch to hold a candlelight vigil. While Jackson has vowed never to return to the ranch, site of the alleged sexual molestation charges, some entertainment television programs reported the singer would be spending the evening there the night before his arraignment. At the gate to the ranch, supporters of all ages sang well-known Jackson songs together and hoisted banners in defence of the pop star's innocence. A few fans even dressed like Jackson, and another two sang a special song for their favourite singer to cheer him up.
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