Michael Jackson Fans Turn Out In New York To Salute Pop Icon

Thousands of Michael Jackson's New York fans turned out Tuesday to mourn the death of the pop icon.

Crowds gathered in Times Square as well as outside Harlem's Apollo Theater -- where the Jackson 5 won "Amateur Night" in 1967.

Chants of "Michael! Michael!" rang out in Harlem, where about 1,000 gathered to watch the memorial service on a giant screen live from Los Angeles' Staples Center.

Jackson impersonator Moses Harper, teary-eyed at the sight of the singer's casket, danced Jackson's version of "Ease on Down the Road," from the musical "The Wiz." ''I'm just grateful that I got to live in his time," said Harper.

The Daily News interviewed Jackson fans near the famed Harlem theater.

"There's no other place to be than right here to memorialize the King of Pop," said Annetta Williams, 60.

Jorge Flores, a Californian on vacation in New York, made a detour to Harlem, where a big screen was set up at the corner of 126th St. and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. to watch the official sendoff live.

"I had plans to go to the Statue of Liberty today, but I just couldn't miss this," said Flores, 39. "I love Michael Jackson. I had to give him a proper goodbye."

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Comments

[pretzel logic47]

Michael Jackson died?

[sueno]

I will love 'mike' forever-
I so want to thank him for
all the 'good times' he's
given myself and my family.
God bless 'the greatest entertainer of all time'
and may he rest in peace.

[NyPrincess]

NY was definitely out in full-force today to show our love for Michael!

[carlyt]

MJ was a great artist but maybe we can return to real news after today. There is a related post at http://iamsoannoyed.com/?page_id=588

[MICHELLEDIANE3]

I believe you are now, the angel in heaven you sought so hard to be here on earth. You were so misunderstood, vilified, and beat upon. There was so much mockery and hatred of you, for only one reason. You’re goodness; your luminosity into the beautiful heart you believed could be in every man. You had such generosity, and tried so hard to teach others, to look into the soul; and to not judge based on color, creed or class. But darkness, doesn’t like beauty to shine. It detracts so much from what it is trying to do. Create dark humanless souls of us all. To replace the radiance that was born within all of us, by God. You spoke of nothing, but love and peace. Your light through your words, and music shone so bright. You’ve brought so much too so many, but only sought pure love for yourself. Your sensitivity brought ridicule. When all you wished most of all was to be embraced and understood. You had such a creative, gentle, kind spirit. I think what personally stood out to me most of all; was your tender nature. Envy in other people mistook that for weakness, when in reality it is strength. The force of who you were was so strong. Many people wish to have that, but could never achieve it. We are all afforded different opportunities in life. Instead of being envious, they should have rejoiced with your success and in your life.