2003
On June 9, Michael appeared at the National Conference of the Radio and Television Association in Chicago. Michael attended this conference together with his actor friend Chris Tucker in order to support the M.B.C., the network of Black people.
At 12:02 PM on June 11, Michael entered Gary about an hour later than the scheduled time in a black limousine accompanied by a large number of guards. Wearing a black suit, Michael appeared at the press conference as soon as he arrived.
At 12:27 PM, he entered City Hall and was met with an enthusiastic crowd of about four hundred of his fans.
Reporters and photographers had gathered on the steps of the entrance to City Hall. But the crowd of Michael’s guards around him almost hid him from public view. Michael’s fans stood behind security walls on the street.
Michael got out of his limousine and climbed the steps of City Hall under an umbrella held above him by one of his guards. When he reached the top of the steps, he turned back and waved at the crowd. Michael then entered City Hall to receive the key to the city and hold a press conference.
Michael said that since he was nine years old, when he left Gary with his family, this was his first return to his hometown and that he was happy to have returned home.
”Being at home is amazing. It feels truly wonderful. Your hospitality is very impressive. I left this city when it was very small. Here I feel a lot of love. I love you very much. Thank you for this wonderful and magical day. I will never forget this day.“
Scott King, the Mayor of Gary, presented Michael with the key to the city and a street sign that had been named ”Jackson“ and said: ”Now that you have the key to the city in your hands, you are no longer a stranger.“
The mayor announced his support for establishing an arts center in Gary and said that Michael might be involved in designing this center and helping raise money for it. He announced that the name of this center would be the «Michael J. Jackson Performing Arts Center».
After the press conference ended, Michael came out, shook hands with his fans, and signed their papers.
Michael also received gifts from his fans. They had brought the handmade items they had made for Michael. Michael chose some of the crafts, and his guards collected them for him.
Michael then got on top of his limousine and performed the Moonwalk from one side of the car’s roof to the other, which sparked an extremely excited reaction from the crowd.
After that, Michael went to his childhood home at ”2300 Jackson Street“ and visited an eager crowd of fans and neighbors, one of whom had also been his childhood nurse when he was only six years old.
Michael then went to Roosevelt High School, where he was presented with an honorary diploma. Michael told the students at the high school: ”With iron will, perseverance, and decision-making, you will be able to do anything you want.“
The students presented gifts to Michael and the music group played the songs «Beat It» and «Thriller».
After that, Michael went toward the baseball stadium near City Hall. There, Michael appeared on stage to receive gifts.
The event host presented Michael with a basket of flowers and said: ”The white rose gold placed in the middle of the flowers is a sign of you... a sign of truth, honesty, purity, and endurance. The pink roses also represent all your fans. You are forever the King of Pop, Rock, and Soul.“
Another event host also gave Michael five books containing messages that fans from around the world had sent to Michael.
After the mayor and Michael left the stage, the music group came on stage and began performing music and dancing.
Michael had enjoyed this performance very much; he was pounding his feet to the rhythm of the music and, along with the beat, was also doing dance moves.
Michael even picked up a young girl’s mobile phone and spoke with her mother who was on the other end of the line.
Michael Jackson’s visit to Gary was accompanied by extremely strict security measures. A very large number of local police officers, along with more than one hundred auxiliary police officers sent from other cities, and even a few federal police officers, ensured Michael Jackson’s security and the calm of the area.
Thomas Houston, the police commander of the city of Gary, admitted in an interview with the Associated Press that they had to establish strict security measures in Gary. According to the police commander: ”People who follow Michael Jackson everywhere are more than the number of followers of the President of the United States.“
Michael’s visit to Gary, given the use of an exceptionally large number of police personnel in the city to maintain security and calm, cost the city a high amount. However, the mayor was not very worried about it. He said: ”I don’t think it’s that important.“
The mayor also described Michael’s character during this visit as ”extraordinarily polite and kind“.