"Thank you for being the spark of revolution"- Netizens hail Luigi Mangione as a hero as GiveSendGo defense fund raises more than $27,000

Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the fatal shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has been receiving support online. Several fundraisers have been established to raise funds for Mangione's legal defense expenses. A GiveSendGo fundraiser has been set up, and it has raised more than $29,000 at the time of writing.

The crowdfunding page read that while the organizers didn't support violence, they believed in the "constitutional right of fair legal representation." The page further mentions:

"All proceeds will be sent directly to Luigi or, if he chooses to reject the funds, they will instead be donated to legal funds for other U.S political prisoners."

The organizing group known as the "December 4 Legal Committee" started the fundraiser. On Tuesday, during a press release, they announced the crowdfunding campaign. Netizens have also shared their take on these fundraisers on social media. A donor commented on the page and wrote:

"Thank you for being the spark of revolution against the rich."

A donor extended support to Luigi Mangione (Image via GiveSendGo)

Donors extended support to Mangione (Image via GiveSendGo)

Many other donors have also expressed their take on it and praised the organizers for taking such a step. While some believed that the suspect should also get a chance to fair trial, another claimed that he "sacrificed his freedom to expose and elevate in the national discourse, the scourge of for-profit health insurance."

A donor extended support to Mangione (Image via GiveSendGo)

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GoFundMe struck down the fundraising pages for suspected shooter Luigi Mangione

GiveSendGo wasn't the only platform where a fundraising page for Luigi Mangione was created. As per Men's Journal, similar fundraisers were launched on GoFundMe.

However, GoFundMe decided to remove all such pages. A spokesperson for the platform spoke to TMZ about the same in an article published on December 10. They said:

"GoFundMe’s Terms of Service prohibit fundraisers for the legal defense of violent crimes. The fundraisers have been removed from our platform and all donors have been refunded."

Meanwhile, on Etsy, users began selling merchandise like mugs, t-shirts, and Christmas decorations to celebrate the suspect. While Etsy didn't react or issue a statement on these offerings, they reportedly removed many of them from the website.

As for Luigi Mangione, he faced an extradition hearing in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, December 10. It has further been reported that the suspected shooter was also denied bail. Along with gun charges, Luigi also faces murder-related charges in New York.

Tom Dickey, the defense attorney, claimed that Luigi wouldn't plead guilty to the charges filed in Pennsylvania. Dickey added that they would possibly take the same step for the murder charge in New York as well. Dickey also spoke to CNN about the massive fundraising campaign for Luigi Mangione.

Upon being asked as to why such campaigns have been launched, the attorney said:

"The Supreme Court says all these rich billionaires can give all kind of money to candidates and that’s ‘free speech,’ so maybe these people were exercising their right to free speech and saying that’s the way they’re supporting my client."

Luigi is held without bond at the Blair County Prison in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania.