Poor turnout for Jackson vigils

NEW YORK, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Several vigils organized to show support for Michael Jackson generated only a lukewarm turnout, the BBC reported Sunday.

Online fan clubs of the pop legend had arranged a well-publicized series of candlelight events in cities across the world.

But in Los Angeles, New York, Montreal and Paris only a handful of supporters responded.

The 45-year-old Jackson is free on a $3-million bond as he awaits trial on charges of child molestation, which he has denied.

Media interest in the superstar performer has been intense, but in New York a total of only 30 loyal fans turned out to vigils in Times Square in Manhattan.

In Paris, fans gathered on the Champs Elysees and walked to the Arc de Triomphe.

The vigils met with a similar response in other cities, with only six fans attending in Montreal, and only a handful of fans appeared in Rome and Toronto.