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Where did all the Michael Jackson fans go?

MsCassieMollie

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http://insession.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/18/where-did-all-the-michael-jackson-fans-go/
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On Thursday, 53-year-old Michael Rico stood quietly outside the Los Angeles County Courthouse. Though the weather was hot, and court had already begun, Rico calmly remained, holding a signed photo of Jackson and a sign reading, "Soldiers of Love."

"I come here every day to support Michael," said Rico, a Hollywood resident who spent years working security for Jackson. "He was not only a friend, but I'm a fan as well."

Rico comes to the courthouse each day to hold his sign and show his support. He said he feels obligated to defend the late music legend, who he said he saw the day before his death.

"I know for a fact that he got killed by Dr. Murray," Rico said. "All the medicine shows Michael was not able to overdose himself. Conrad Murray gave it to him."

At the close of last week (week three) of the Michael Jackson death trial, in which Dr. Conrad Murray is charged with involuntary manslaughter of the singer, fanfare was sparse, with fewer than 20 vying for seats in the courthouse.

More than 40 sought seats on the first day of the Murray trial, but for the late pop star, a man so often associated with fiercely loyal fans, the turnout pales in comparison to other Jackson-centered events.

Steve Moglia, a freelance audio technician, who worked with "CourtTV" (now "In Session") to cover Jackson's molestation trial, says fan turnout for the 2005 proceedings was overwhelming.

"The streets were packed," said Moglia. "They'd come and go, and you'd have the hardcore ones that were there and then those that would find out he was going to be there and fly in."

According to "In Session" senior field producer Grace Wong, who also covered the 2005 trial for "CourtTV," the number of demonstrators was in the hundreds, particularly near the beginning and end of proceedings.

"It's nothing like the attendance that was at Michael Jackson's trial," Wong said. "You had the length of two city blocks. There was an international presence I have never seen at any other trial."

She said each day when Jackson arrived to court, he was greeted with a roaring crowd of fans holding signs, playing his music and dancing. When he was ultimately acquitted of all charges of child molestation, a fan outside the courthouse released doves in celebration.

"His fans as a group felt misunderstood by society, and he was misunderstood by society," said Mark Somers an "In Session" producer who has covered Jackson since his 2005 trial. "They felt like he was in their corner. It was alright for them to fight for him. He allowed them to feel like they could be themselves in a united front under Michael Jackson."

The 2005 trial was not the only demonstration of Jackson fan loyalty. After his death, supporters gathered in masses at Jackson's home, the hospital where he died and at his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Fans around the world held candlelight vigils, embraced and sang his songs.

"Clearly these are people who have in some way an emotional connection to Michael," said psychotherapist and author Beatty Cohan. "I think it [his death] was a shock. Maybe for them they needed that kind of closure to go and know and see that it was really all over."

Fans also showed up in droves for the Michael Jackson tribute concert in Wales on October 8, with a turnout of 50,000. On August 29, what would have been the star's 53rd birthday, fan observations included a multi-day celebration in Jackson's hometown of Gary, Indiana, and a flash mob in Hollywood.

"I think what Michael Jackson had with fans over others is they felt a connection with him on a superhuman level," Somers said "They felt the need to protect him even though they didn't know him."

Though fan presence at the trial has dwindled, Cohan said the lower turnout makes sense, considering the trial's somber tone and less controversial nature.

"With the molestation trial it was more of a soap opera," she said. "People were really split with whether or not he did it or whether or not he didn't do it. For people who like to come out and protest or demonstrate the molestation case was much more exciting than this."

Somers agreed, saying during the 2005 trial, fans were more driven to protest what they viewed as unjust allegations.

"They felt the right to stand up for people who are abused by people in positions of authority," Somers said of the mindsets of many Jackson fans.

Beatty adds that the mere absence of Jackson, whose arrivals at the molestation trial incited roars of applause and cheering, contributes to the smaller turnout.

"Michael is dead," she said. "Nobody is gong to see him. He isn't going to be waving to anybody."

While fans may not be present in numbers comparable to past Jackson events, turnout at the tribute concert and celebration of the singer's would-be birthday shows his supporters remain united.

"You still see it today," Wong said. "I see it at this trial. He had this incredible relationship with his fans. They felt that they knew him. They really shared a bond. The fans adored him and he could do nothing wrong."

Complete courtroom coverage of the Conrad Murray trial airs live on HLN from gavel to gavel. It’s also on In Session on truTV from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET every weekday.
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Michael's fans haven't gone anywhere. We're all still there, mentally, which is why so many of us tune in to the live stream and take to the Internet to defend his legacy against ne'er do wells like Dr. Drew and other shabby TV personalities with questionable qualifications and nonexistent charisma.

Not everyone these days can afford to stand outside a courtroom every day for about a month. This holds especially true in this recession economy. Things were a lot less complicated for this country (and the world) economically in 2005 than they are now. This trial is also competing with the "Occupy Wall Street" protests, which seem to be a personal and pressing issue to a lot of people, especially due to the aforementioned economic recession.

If I recall rightly, as far back as 2009, California residents were not in great economic shape, which naturally means they have less liberty in where and how they invest their time, free or otherwise. For a lot of people, it simply is no longer an option to take leave from work/school for a whole month and stand at a court house showing your support everyday, especially if said fans are responsible for maintaining not only their own well-being, but that of their families as well.

There are a lot of possible factors which could be affecting physical fan turnout at this trial. But let no mistake be made: we are still there every day via live stream, and we will continue to support Michael's legacy forevermore.
 
That made me cry. My goodness...I just can't with that article.
 
The media's altimate fantasy is that all mj fans no longer love or support mj anymore but i have these few words for the media

WE ARE STILL HERE AND WE WILL LOVE MJ ALWAYS TILL THE END OF TIME NO MATTER WHAT!


 
"Clearly these are people who have in some way an emotional connection to Michael," said psychotherapist and author Beatty Cohan. "I think it [his death] was a shock. Maybe for them they needed that kind of closure to go and know and see that it was really all over."
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Closure? What closure?
 
8701girl said:
The media's altimate fantasy is that all mj fans no longer love or support mj anymore but i have these few words for the media

WE ARE STILL HERE AND WE WILL LOVE MJ ALWAYS TILL THE END OF TIME NO MATTER WHAT!
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exactly! well said :)
 
It's very patronising and a little insulting how the fans are described, like we are some kind of wierd cult, but then i suppose thats always how we've been described. It's extreemely foolish to suggest you can't support and love someone that you don't personally know, because if thats the case they can't have any role models or inspirations other than their own friends, which is just stupid quite frankly. It's just an article trying to politely and sympathetically word the fact they think we are all strange and Michael Jackson is over for everyone, which is just what they would no doubt love...........
 
MJultimatemusiclegen said:
It's very patronising and a little insulting how the fans are described, like we are some kind of wierd cult, but then i suppose thats always how we've been described. It's extreemely foolish to suggest you can't support and love someone that you don't personally know, because if thats the case they can't have any role models or inspirations other than their own friends, which is just stupid quite frankly. It's just an article trying to politely and sympathetically word the fact they think we are all strange and Michael Jackson is over for everyone, which is just what they would no doubt love...........
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Which is why that abortive 'Tribute' was such a roaring success!! Because the fans who are 'over ' Michael had a major impact on it in his name!
 
MJultimatemusiclegen said:
It's very patronising and a little insulting how the fans are described, like we are some kind of wierd cult, but then i suppose thats always how we've been described. It's extreemely foolish to suggest you can't support and love someone that you don't personally know, because if thats the case they can't have any role models or inspirations other than their own friends, which is just stupid quite frankly. It's just an article trying to politely and sympathetically word the fact they think we are all strange and Michael Jackson is over for everyone, which is just what they would no doubt love...........
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I am honestly unsure as to whether they do it on purpose to discredit us, or whether they truly do not comprehend the connection between Michael and his fans. It is a very special and unique sort of bond, which I have not witnessed between any other celebrity/fan base, so it could be possible they are just attempting to describe something they very obviously do not fully comprehend.

However, strange it is not. Part of the reason we follow celebrities, etc. is because we consider them to be role models/inspiration for our own life. Considering Michael a role model is no more strange than considering, say, Leonardo da Vinci. Believe it or not, there are a LOT of people (myself among them) who do not have positive role models in their immediate periphery/life. Therefore, looking for guidance in celebrities like Michael Jackson would be a million times healthier and more positive than adopting the same negative behaviour as the people around me.
 
That's not fair! I wish I could be there to proove the article wrong, I wish we could! We fans are all around the world and if we could all go to the trial to support it... we'd just fill the USA!
Just because we are not able to be there phisically it doesn't mean we are not there.
 
There is an economical recession now. Not many people can afford to go and spend there.
 
Applehead Ale said:
That's not fair! I wish I could be there to proove the article wrong, I wish we could! We fans are all around the world and if we could all go to the trial to support it... we'd just fill the USA!
Just because we are not able to be there phisically it doesn't mean we are not there.
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I agree with you and would like to say that anyone that can go please do so and support him by showing your love for a brother.

He did so much for us...
 
I am glad there's not a huge crowd there. Murray certainly doesn't deserve that much attention, and it's nice that the Jackson family can go to court and endure this circus without screaming people there. It's hard enough for them already....they don't need that.

I cringed when I saw footage of some nuttcase dressed as Michael outside that courthouse. What.the.****.......that's just highly inappropriate and not to mention disrespectful to the Jackson family, to MICHAEL, and to the fans. Come as you, behave, and show respect. If you can't, stay home. This is not the time to be loud and loopy.

If you want to support Michael, do so by helping others. By carrying out his legacy of LOVE and UNITY throughout the world. That speaks so many more volumes than standing outside a courthouse with your banners and Michael-outfits. I don't mean to offend anyone but please, have some sense.
 
I'm still here, because us Michael fans haven't gone anywhere. We just want justice done here! Then the media will finally leave Michael alone because I can't take this media abuse anymore.
 
I'm positive people dont understand the connection we have with Michael. They dont see the difference with other fans, like Gaga's or Bieber's. That's why they dont get it.

I dont think it matters if there are many people or not in front of the court house. Michael is not here anymore to see the support from his fans. We have no power over what's happening in court. And being in front means you dont know what's happening. I believe our task not is to protect Michael's legacy, and work on doing what he asked us to do so many times : make that change, change that world. Michael wanted to be loved, but not to be the focus of attention. He was pointing to something, he was urging us to change our ways and start working. That's what we have to do now.
So maybe we'll be less out there, less obvious. But we certainly wont disappear, we'll be working underground maybe, through screens and keyboards. First we have to achieve unity.
In the end, this, to me, is what matters :


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Why would u stand outside a courthouse having no idea whats going on inside.ppl are following the case so want to be sat at home watching the live stream.mj doesnt need to see our support unlike 03-05.

the media have never been able to handle the fact that no matter what they did they could not stop ppl from loving mj. and they never will.
 
elusive moonwalker said:
the media have never been able to handle the fact that no matter what they did they could not stop ppl from loving mj. and they never will.
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I agree. But what they think or understand has no importance whatsoever. Being seen in the media doesnt matter either. Only what we will accomplish together in his name does. And I believe we can do a lot.
 
cringed when I saw footage of some nuttcase dressed as Michael outside that courthouse. What.the.****.......that's just highly inappropriate and not to mention disrespectful to the Jackson family, to MICHAEL, and to the fans. Come as you, behave, and show respect. If you can't, stay home. This is not the time to be loud and loopy.
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You refering to navi being at the courthouse?
 
8701girl said:
You refering to navi being at the courthouse?
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No, I was referring to a dude I saw on tv 2 weeks ago or so. I only just now learned that Navi has done the same, which made me sad to know he would do such a thing.
 
Ben said:
I'm positive people dont understand the connection we have with Michael. They dont see the difference with other fans, like Gaga's or Bieber's. That's why they dont get it. I dont think it matters if there are many people or not in front of the court house. Michael is not here anymore to see the support from his fans. We have no power over what's happening in court. And being in front means you dont know what's happening. I believe our task not is to protect Michael's legacy, and work on doing what he asked us to do so many times : make that change, change that world. Michael wanted to be loved, but not to be the focus of attention. He was pointing to something, he was urging us to change our ways and start working. That's what we have to do now. So maybe we'll be less out there, less obvious. But we certainly wont disappear, we'll be working underground maybe, through screens and keyboards. First we have to achieve unity. In the end, this, to me, is what matters :
100_0862.jpg
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I applaud this post.
 
Frankly, the less people act as if the words "due process" don't mean a thing- the better. The last time I saw one nut go off on that Murray supporter- that's the kind of cringe worthy stuff the media sees. We do other work. There's a dedicated team of translators translating actual, factual information to countries across the world- to circumvent media misinformation. People living in LA have jobs, too, one doesn't exactly live 'free' in California.
Those that win the public lottery and know how to behave and don't get thrown out- more power to you.

But not standing in front of a courthouse is not some 'failure', not matter how much "Majestic" urges in whatever letter. People do incredible things in Michael's name without Jane-Velez Mitchell, lol. Other people do incredible work online- but they don't have a camera on them, either.
Michael's no longer physically here- and he's not on trial, either.
 
Dutchie said:
No, I was referring to a dude I saw on tv 2 weeks ago or so. I only just now learned that Navi has done the same, which made me sad to know he would do such a thing.
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Oh ok it makes me angry that they would do such a thing when a serious trial like this is happening....some ppl just have no respect at all *shakes head*
 
Dutchie said:
I am glad there's not a huge crowd there. Murray certainly doesn't deserve that much attention, and it's nice that the Jackson family can go to court and endure this circus without screaming people there. It's hard enough for them already....they don't need that.
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I agree.



This was a sad article, but it warmed my heart to see this man holding up a poster of my art. Just reminds me of our united love for Michael. We will ALWAYS be there for him with our hearts...whether we are standing outside a courthouse or not. :heart:
 
To be fair, it (the 2005 Trial) possibly had alot to do with the fact that Michael was actually there everyday, Everyone who could, went, to support Michael. Went to physically see Michael. :)

The Murray trial, obviously Michael isn't there, and I can't imagine anyone would want to go, sit down or wait outside and see Murray's face all day. :glare:

BUT We are still here, and Always will be. :heart:

Justice For Michael :angel:
 
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