Loyal fans—or the cheer squad

The sun hasn’t even risen yet. But here in Santa Maria, the fans start hours before sunrise. Here, every day, Jackson’s fans sit behind a protective wire fence for hours before the scheduled time for Michael Jackson to enter the courtroom. Meanwhile, journalists and photographers who have come from all over the world to cover the trial of the century prepare the scene for Michael Jackson’s arrival. Loyal fans welcome every one of his entrances with very loud cheers and ecstatic shouts, and they send him off the same way when he leaves. Jackson’s fans have devoted themselves to him. Many of them have put aside their important work just to be there with him and to accompany him during the most sensitive period of his life. Sheree Wilkins, one of the fans, says: " I was a preschool teacher for 13 years. And now I’ve resigned so I can be here. " Susie Mumpfeld, who some time ago fainted and fell to the ground due to the crowding while she was spending the night in the grounds of the same hospital where Michael had been forced to stay because of his flu illness instead of going to court, is now quite famous. She says: " We’ve given up on all our work. We have to put everything aside and just fight. " But why is it so important to be here and to see Michael Jackson? " It’s a slice of life. " says Brian Church, another fan. When Jackson and his entourage arrive, the loyal fans are overwhelmed with excitement. They shout: " Michael " , " Michael is innocent " , " Keep going, lawyer " And here is a man whose voice is the loudest among Jackson’s cheerleaders every day. You can always tell his voice apart from the rest—he shouts like a fan on a football field. Locals call him Tennessee. He’s an 18-year-old boy who came here with his bus and has no intention of leaving this place, even though his expenses have gone up. " My room in a motel costs $110 a night. And I’ve been here for two months. You do the math and figure out how much it costs. " Source: eMJey.com / Fox News