Michael Jackson (news) holds a street sign that he was presented with by Gary Mayor Scott L. King, left, during a news conference Gary, Ind., Wednesday, June 11, 2003. Jackson returned to the city for the first time since in nearly two decades and was also presented with a key to the city. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Michael Jackson comments after receiving the key to the City of Gary from Mayor Scott L. King, left, during a news conference in Gary, Ind., Wednesday, June 11, 2003. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings
Michael Jackson (news) waves to fans gathered outside of Gary City Hall in Gary, Ind., Wednesday, June 11, 2003, his hometown, and was presented with a key to the city. At a press conference Gary Mayor Scott King and Jackson announced he will help the city of Gary to build a performing arts center. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Michael Jackson (news) stands on top of a limousine and waves to fans gathered outside of Gary City Hall in Gary, Ind., Wednesday, June 11, 2003. Jackson returned to the city of his birth for the first time since he left nearly two decades ago, and was presented with a key to the city. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Michael Jackson To Visit His Boyhood Home In Gary
Wednesday, June 11, 2003, 1:50 p.m.
(Gary-AP) -- Hundreds of fans are crowing the streets around Michael Jackson's boyhood home in Gary.
They are pressing against police barricades, treating the small white and brick home like a shrine.
Jackson is expected to arrive at the home this afternoon, after revealing that he will help the city of Gary build a performing arts center.
Neighbor Lisa Nelson says that in the summer, groups of people will come by the home to sightsee.
A few blocks away, the band is warming up in the auditorium of Gary's Roosevelt High School.
Jackson's brother Marlon graduated from the school and Jackson is scheduled to make a stop there after he visits his old home.
Michael Jackson will help the city of Gary to build a performing arts center.
Gary Mayor Scott King made the announcement in a news conference with Jackson today. Jackson's role in building the center hasn't beendetermined. King says Jackson will work with the city in any role he feelscomfortable with -- possibly helping with the design or fund-raising.
It will be named the Michael J- Jackson Performing Arts Center.
After the news conference, Jackson stood on top of his limousine, holding a black-and-white umbrella. He blew kisses to the crowd and signed autographs.
Jackson wasn't expected to speak at the news conference, but said that being back in his hometown gives him a "wonderful feeling" and said he feels so much love that he feels like a king.
Michael Jackson says it's great to be home.
He returned to his hometown of Gary, Indiana, today for the first time in 20 years. Jackson was given a key to the city.
He said it was a wonderful feeling to be back in Gary and that he could feel the love.
He thanked the mayor for a wonderful, magical, day that he would never forget.
Some fans traveled from as far away as Toronto to see him.
Yesterday, Jackson spent about six hours giving a deposition in Indianapolis in a copyright lawsuit.
[Modificato da mikele78 12/06/2003 0.56]