Nephi, standing on a raised platform, is confronting a crowd outside his garden wall, in which Gadianton judges mingle with (presumably) ordinary people. These people have been the “voice of the people” to confirm the Gadianton judges in office, yet they appear to have sympathy for Nephi. Would we not expect them to oppose Nephi?
Not necessarily. While a statistical majority of the people had established their social/political way of life, Nephi, though out of political power, must have been something of a community hero. After all, he had been an apparently respected chief judge; and his missionary efforts had not only brought a season of peace but caused the restoration of the land of Zarahemla. Thus, even though the people had begun to move away from Nephi’s religion, they would still have admired and respected him as an individual.