Man asks for release of white supremacists

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OSCEOLA, Fla., May 10 (UPI) -- A supporter of 11 suspected white supremacists arrested in Florida has started an online petition calling for their release.

Following a two-year investigation into the American Front skinhead organization, 11 alleged members were recently arrested in Osceola County and charged with felony conspiracy and hate crimes, the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel reported Thursday.

They were also charged for allegedly conducting paramilitary training at a compound in rural Osceola

On Wednesday, a man who identified himself as Jaybug Garrean started a petition through the Web site thepetitionsite.com calling for their releases.

As of Thursday, only Garrean had signed his petition, titled "Free Richard 'Adam' Stockdale and the AF 11."

"They are charged with 'paramilitary training' which quite a few people do, and which is demonstrated on shows about dooms day preparation. No crime there," he wrote. "The real crime if you ask me is these 11 people being arrested simply because their white."

Marcus and Patricia Faella, the alleged leaders of American Front, were released on bond last week.

"I wouldn't particularly label myself as 'racist,'" Garrean wrote. "I'm just an honest person who is proud of their race, and its [sic] when someone misinterprets pride for prejudice that [obscenity] like this happens."