Michael Jackson's death: Sharpton plans meeting with family to 'preserve and protect Michael's legacy'
The Rev. Al Sharpton is scheduled to meet with members of the Jackson family at their Encino compound this evening, making him the second prominent African American civil rights leader to advise the family in the wake of Michael Jackson's death.
His visit comes a day after the Rev. Jesse Jackson said the family was concerned about the medical care Michael Jackson received at his Holmby Hills home before he died Thursday.
A Sharpton spokesman told Newsday that he was going to "meet with Michael's parents and siblings and to talk about the needs to preserve and protect Michael's legacy."
Both statements underscore the questions Jackson family members appear to have over the circumstances of his death and how to proceed. In a brief interview with People, family patriarch Joseph Jackson said, "We don't like what's going on."
Sources told The Times that the family is still trying to determine plans for a memorial service after getting various proposals from outsiders for grand concert-like events.
-- Andrew Blankstein and Shelby Grad
I hope they don't turn his services into a circus. If Michael was an Islam convert, he should be in the ground by now. If he wasn't, I hope to heck they don't parade him from city to city like they did James Brown.
Poor dear Michael..
Posted by: Iris M. Gross | June 28, 2009 at 11:20 AM
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1196026/Revealed-Nanny-regularly-pumped-Michael-Jacksons-stomach-dangerous-drugs.html
THE best researched article today (sunday) from the The Daily Mail. UK
and some you wlll never see in US press .
MJ is free now.
Posted by: Gina | June 28, 2009 at 11:28 AM
The Family should have a private memorial for themselves to grieve privately....and consider having a public memorial service...Similar to Bernie Mac...Family needs answers and more time to grieve...Its such a delicate situation right...Alot of decisions are being made out of emotion...Have to be careful how to approach this...
Posted by: m | June 28, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Can someone explain why two of the most famous racists in modern America are getting involved in the death of Michael Jackson? Why didn't they crawl out from under the rock for Farah or Ed McMahon? Will they comfort the family of Billy Mays? No, of course not. These bottom feeders of "back room dealing" hate need to just go away. No one needs you. Believe it or not, we've come a long way over the years and we don't need you to point out what you're doing. Everyone appreciates your individual contributions, but the Black-only "ambulance chasing" that you're both famous for just needs to stop.
Posted by: Fred | June 28, 2009 at 01:55 PM
For clarification, I was referring to Jesse and Al.
Posted by: Fred | June 28, 2009 at 01:56 PM
I feel so relieved to know that the good Reverend Al will be there to help. I'll bet a lot of hangers on will be around for a few days.
Posted by: Norm Silver | June 28, 2009 at 02:26 PM
My thoughts are with the Jackson family and all of the world as we are losing many wonderful people to the afterlife... What Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson have to do with the family is beyond me. Self promotion perhaps?
Posted by: Paul Shapiro | June 28, 2009 at 03:03 PM
Much ado about nothing
Posted by: Duane | June 28, 2009 at 03:46 PM
I wonder if they will talk about Tawana Brawley?
Ladies and Gentlemen the circus has begun with the parade of side show men and freaks just the beginning.
If anyone thinks this will be handled with anything but an over the top extravaganza is fooling themselves.
The Jackson Family will try and make money off this and the longer the "show" goes on, the more they will make.
Posted by: G. Marantz | June 28, 2009 at 04:16 PM
Ambulance chasers.
Posted by: Bill | June 28, 2009 at 04:41 PM
Wow ....
Those two friends that never did a thing are now even trying to steal the spotlight.
How low can you go.
If it wasn't for opportunistic pigs like Mr. Jesse Jackson and Mr. Sharpton, the world would truly be a better place.
Both claim to have been Mr. Michael Jackson's biggest friends, yet niether helped them until the spotlight shinned upon his death.
Shame on you.
Theo Kingma
Posted by: Theo Kingma | June 28, 2009 at 05:15 PM
Surely MJ deserves better than the involvement of Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. Jackson family get a grip.
MJ - thank you for the music and the pleasure.
Posted by: Chris Wallace, Leeds, England | June 28, 2009 at 05:16 PM
actually, jesse jackson always closely defended michael. the other chap? i have not heard of.
but i must agree that i really think something suspicious happened. i mean, if you find someone lying unconscious without breathing or responding, then anyone over 5 years old would no to dial 911. and most people know basic first aid- including that u gotta perform CRP on a hard surface- not on a soft bed!
so this so called medical expert dont call 911 for nearly 1 hour then he performs CPR in the worst way you possibly can! its all the more heartbreaking to think our dear Michael could still be with us, i will always love him xoxox
Posted by: rachael | June 29, 2009 at 09:55 AM