Michael JacksonB次元官网网址檚 estate paid tribute to his artistry and charity Tuesday as fans began gathering to celebrate his memory on the 10th anniversary of the King of PopB次元官网网址檚 death.
B次元官网网址淭en years ago today, the world lost a gifted artist and extraordinary humanitarian,B次元官网网址� the Jackson estate said in a statement to The Associated Press. B次元官网网址淎 decade later, Michael Jackson is still with us, his influence embedded in dance, fashion, art and music of the moment. He is more important than ever.B次元官网网址�
The estate has doggedly worked to protect and enhance JacksonB次元官网网址檚 legacy, a task made more challenging this year when two men accused Jackson of molesting them as boys in the HBO documentary B次元官网网址淟eaving Neverland,B次元官网网址� sparking new scrutiny of years-old claims that Jackson preyed on children. Jackson was acquitted of abuse allegations in 2005 and always vehemently denied such allegations, and the estate and his family angrily refuted the menB次元官网网址檚 claims when the documentary was released in March, noting the men had at one time been among JacksonB次元官网网址檚 biggest defenders and one testified on his behalf at his criminal trial.
The estate is using the anniversary of JacksonB次元官网网址檚 death to celebrate and accentuate JacksonB次元官网网址檚 vast humanitarian work. It called on fans to honour JacksonB次元官网网址檚 memory by engaging in charitable acts B次元官网网址渨hether itB次元官网网址檚 planting a tree, volunteering at a shelter, cleaning up a public space or helping someone who is lost find their way. B次元官网网址� This is how we honour Michael,B次元官网网址� the statement read.
Mourners began to gather early Tuesday and placed elaborate flower arrangements and poster-sized pictures of Jackson, some featuring signed messages from dozens of fans, outside his mausoleum at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.
A florist delivered on arrangement from a client in Japan. A heart made from flowers in the colours of the Iranian flag featured the message B次元官网网址淚ran (hearts) MJ.B次元官网网址� Another flowered heart read B次元官网网址淟ove from Denmark.B次元官网网址�
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A fan from Las Vegas, dressed as Jackson in bright red shirt and one white glove, was among the first mourners to appear.
Fans also plan to gather at JacksonB次元官网网址檚 last home in the Holmby Hills neighbourhood of Los Angeles, where the singer received a fatal dose of the anesthetic propofol on the afternoon of June 25, 2009 from his doctor. Jackson was declared dead at a hospital at age 50.
Others planned to gather around JacksonB次元官网网址檚 star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. One group planned a Hollywood rally Tuesday to declare his innocence of molestation allegations.
The death of Jackson was a massive cultural phenomenon, bringing an outpouring of public affection and revival of his songs and largely erasing the taint that remained after his criminal trial, despite his acquittal.
It was one of the earliest instances of the mass mourning on social media that would soon become common, and a massive worldwide audience both on TV and online watched his July 27, 2009 public memorial that included touching tributes from family members including daughter Paris and performances from Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey and Lionel Richie.
Andrew Dalton, The Associated Press
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