Luigi Mangione pleaded not guilty on Friday to federal charges connected to the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City last year. His plea was entered before U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett. Meanwhile, outside the courthouse, members of the growing Free Luigi movement gathered to protest and show their support.
The 26-year-old Mangione was indicted last week by a federal grand jury on four counts, including stalking and murder through the use of a firearm. The murder charge carries a potential death sentence.
The Rise of the “Free Luigi” Movement
The killing has sparked a national conversation around the U.S. health care system, with many people sharing personal stories of denied insurance claims online.
Within the Free Luigi movement, thousands have hailed Mangione as a hero, blaming the victim, Thompson, for his own death. Many point to systemic issues in health insurance as the real villain in this case.
Dozens of supporters wearing “Free Luigi” shirts and carrying signs protested outside a Manhattan courthouse in February. Mangione’s alleged manifesto, discovered by police, expresses hostility toward the insurance industry and has resonated with many.
Meanwhile, online forums and social media sites are filled with discussions framing Mangione’s actions as a rebellion against corporate greed.
