Year 2004
After leaving the hearing, Michael did not answer reporters’ questions, but in a statement he announced: ”What I want you to know is that I will do everything I can to help you in your struggle.“
The next day, on his second day of activity in Washington to discuss greater support for the African continent in the fight against AIDS, Michael met with several Black lawmakers in the United States, as well as a number of ambassadors from African countries.
When Michael entered the Capitol Hill building, a group of supporters had also gathered on-site to support him.
At a press conference held after the end of this one-hour session, many members of Congress expressed their enthusiasm about Michael’s work on the AIDS fight project in Africa.
Rabby Rush, one of the members of Congress, said about Michael: ”This man intends to direct the global efforts to fight AIDS in a way that ensures we use all our resources and attention to control and eliminate a curse called AIDS.“
Sheila Jackson Lee, another representative, said: ”Before today, no meeting like this had ever been held in Congress.“
Jesse Jackson, a pastor and another member of this congress, while praising the session, said: ”Michael has announced that he will help in the congressional programs arranged to raise financial aid to fight AIDS in Africa.“
Also at this press conference, Michael announced that he intends to hold several charity concerts in Africa for the same purpose.
Sheila Jackson Lee provided more details about these concerts and said that ambassadors from several African countries had invited Michael to perform in their countries.
After leaving Congress, Michael went to Walter Reed Hospital to visit American soldiers who had been wounded in the Iraq war and were hospitalized there.
Michael’s trip to Washington drew a great deal of attention and impressed the members of Congress on Capitol Hill with the support and love of his fans.
Leon Rock, the organizer of Michael’s meeting with members of Capitol Hill, described the session like this: ”I can say that I set Capitol Hill on fire. The women of Congress said they had never seen anything like this before. When we left Congress, people were running around Michael’s car. Of course you’ve seen scenes like this many times on television, but seeing it up close is astonishing. Even one of the Congress employees fainted in the middle of the crowd.“
The Associated Press described Michael as ”shy and funny” and concluded that ”the commotion that had been raised in this one week because of Michael’s trip to Washington shows that he is still the King of Pop.“
Over the years, Michael Jackson has offered his financial support for the construction of equipped hospitals, orphanages, homes, and schools in Africa, and he has also financially supported organizations related to children’s rights, the fight against AIDS, and racial discrimination.
This led to Michael receiving a humanitarian award on the first day of April 2004 from the Association of Spouses of African Ambassadors (AASA) in recognition of his humanitarian activities, especially in the African continent.
At the ceremony, held at the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington, a golden elephant statue symbolizing appreciation for Michael’s activities in the fight against AIDS in Africa was presented to him.
In a statement released before the start of the ceremony, Michael had said: ”For me, it is very important to raise awareness about the African continent and to collect financial aid for this continent.“
At the ceremony, a group of singers made up of children performed the song «Heal The World». Michael thanked them by kissing and hugging the children.
When receiving his award, Michael addressed the two hundred people who were present as guests at the ceremony: ”This is beautiful. This is an amazing opportunity. I thank the ladies, I thank Africa, and I thank everyone who came here tonight.“
He also said that traveling to Africa was very enjoyable.
The ”AASA“ association, which has representatives from fifty-one countries, was formed twenty-six years ago. And its goal is to support disadvantaged children in the fifty-one member countries.
On this day, in addition to receiving the humanitarian award, Michael also attended the meeting of African leaders.
On the same day, Rolling Stone magazine published a list of immortal artists who have appeared in the field of music so far. The thirty-fifth position on this list, consisting of fifty women, men, and music groups, was dedicated to Michael Jackson.
The magazine’s editor, in an article, explained the reason for choosing Michael Jackson:
”Michael Jackson is the greatest showman in the world. One of the most explosive performances of my life was when I saw Michael slide across the stage at the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Motown’s founding. Seeing such a scene made all of us understand that greatness is this. And anything that does not match it is below greatness.
Before him, Elvis Presley, the Beatles, and Frank Sinatra had appeared. And Michael Jackson immediately took his place among them.
I’m almost the same age as Michael. I first saw him at an amusement park in the U.S. state of Ohio. The Jackson Five were performing on stage. Michael’s voice could be heard throughout the amusement park. From the very beginning, I was impressed by his voice.
The song «Billie Jean» is his most important work. Not only in terms of its commercial success, but also because its music is very deep. This song was more captivating than any other song I have heard so far. All the rhythms of this song stay in your mind, and each one has its own special catchiness. You can divide this song into twelve different songs. And I think each of these songs could have been very successful. I still haven’t heard a song like it.
Michael has influenced many artists. You can see his influence in his sister Janet, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, and Mariah Carey. You can also see his influence in the dance moves that many young artists perform. If you pay attention to Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and Usher’s work, you will truly see that they are performing a page from Michael Jackson’s playbook.
There are many people who look at Michael as if he were an astonishing landscape, and that is sad. This keeps us from seeing his artistic side. A world without Michael Jackson would be a very, very different world. And I think all of us should feel fortunate because an artist with this degree of talent and ability has entered our lives, since he has expanded our lives.“
On April 21, the jury—the decision-making body regarding whether or not to hold a trial to hear allegations of sexual abuse against Michael Jackson—ruled in favor of holding a trial.
In a statement, Michael Jackson’s lawyers Mark Geragos, Robert Sanger, Benjamin Brafman, and Steve Cochran, while insisting on Michael’s innocence, announced: ”Michael is expecting the trial, and he thanks the millions of fans around the world who continue to support him in these difficult circumstances.“
On April 24, Michael released a statement:
”While I issue this statement, helicopters are flying overhead, reporters are watching us, and photographers are hiding behind bushes, and around my home they are increasing uncontrollably.
In the end, I respectfully ask that you please respect my privacy and that of my children.
I greatly appreciate your cooperation.
Thank you.“
On April 25, Michael Jackson replaced Thomas Mesereau with Mark Geragos and Benjamin Brafman.
In a statement, Michael announced that he personally made this decision. In this statement he said: ”My life is in danger. Therefore I must make sure that my best interests come before everything else. I am cleared of these false accusations, and I will work hard with determination to clear my name.
I thank my lawyers, Mr. Geragos and Brafman, for all their efforts. And I wish them well.“
Two days later, Michael dismissed the members of the ”Nation Of Islam“ whom he had hired as his guards.
On April 28, Brian Oxman, the lawyer for the Jackson family, announced that Michael intends to return to his home, Neverland. Michael had left there after the police raid on Neverland last November, and had been staying in a rented house in Beverly Hills.