Credit: FOX
Credit: FOX
Updated: Monday, 06 Jul 2009, 10:34 AM EDT
Published : Monday, 06 Jul 2009, 10:34 AM EDT
LOS ANGELES - A Los Angeles city councilwoman says she would "love it" if Michael Jackson's family made a contribution to help defray some of the costs associated with Tuesday's memorial service for the King of Pop.
But councilwoman Jan Perry says the city hasn't heard from the family on that score.
Appearing on CBS' "The Early Show," Perry also said the city is "encouraging people to stay away" if they do not have tickets to attend the Staples Center ceremony. She says the city doesn't yet have an estimate of the costs.
In an appearance today on ABC's "Good Morning America," the Rev. Al Sharpton said "the city is trying to do what it should do to secure people," adding "that's what cities do."
He says no one in the family is happy that the city is incurring expenses over the memorial, but that Jackson is "an historic figure" and will have a once-in-a-generation celebration. More than 1.6 million people requested tickets for the service and the event is expected to be broadcast on multiple TV networks . The family is also planning a private ceremony at Los Angeles' Forest Lawn Cemetery .