July 7, 2009 18:43
Rev. Al Sharpton addresses Michael Jackson's kids at memorial
'There was nothing strange about your daddy,' he tells them
Photo Gallery: Michael Jackson
The Rev. Al Sharpton made a rousing speech at Michael Jackson's memorial at the Staples Center in which he addressed Jackson's three children, Michael Joseph Jr. aka Prince Michael, 12, Paris Michael Katherine, 11, and Prince Michael II, aka 'Blanket', 7.
The Rev. told the congregation that "Michael brought blacks, whites, Asians and Latinos together," and that "it was Michael Jackson who said 'we are the world' to feed the hungry long before Live Aid".
He then turned his attention to the three children, seated in the front row surrounding Jackson's mother Katherine, saying: "I want his children to know there was nothing strange about your daddy, it was strange what your daddy had to deal with."
The speech prompted a standing ovation, with Jackson's daughter Paris among the first to stand.
Jackson's youngest son Blanket was seen clutching a doll in the likeness of his late father.
Sharpton's speech followed a performance by pregnant singer Jennifer Hudson.
Click to see a gallery of images from the memorial here.
Watch live video coverage of the Michael Jackson memorial online here:
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