Conan O’Brien fans plan protest rallies

Posted Jan 19, 2010 by Walt Belcher

Updated Jan 19, 2010 at 06:38 PM

Fans in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle are holding rallies to “show love” for Conan O’Brien, whom they call “CoCo.” 

More than 100 marched on the NBC station in Chicago on Monday.

“I don’t think we’re going to change NBC’s stance on what they want to do with late night – I think that’s already been inked,” rally organizer Mike Mitchell told ABC News. “I think hopefully we’re going to show Conan’s got a huge following and we’re behind him no matter where he ends up.”

Mitchell also runs the Facebook group “I’m With COCO,” which grew from 200 to more than 400,000 members in days.

“Now is just a good time to support him because he’s kind of been put in a tough spot and people can relate to his situation,” the 27-year-old freelance illustrator says. “Everybody’s had a bad boss that has maybe put them in a position that they didn’t want to be in.”

Even O’Brien’s crew members are part of the movement.

“Everybody on the show has ‘I’m With Coco’ avatars on Facebook,” Mitchell says. “I know personally they want to follow Conan wherever he goes. ... They love him, and they respect him.”

Meanwhile, the last “Tonight Show” featuring O’Brien as host is set to air this Friday.