Czech Republic against Jackson’s statue

Updated at: 0848 PST, Thursday, July 01, 2010 PRAGUE: Residents of Czech Republic have criticised plans to place a Michael Jackson statue, insisting that the late pop legend has no connection to the country. City officials in Prague approved a request by Jackson fans to place a six-foot (1.83 metre) statue of the King of Pop in Letna Park, where the singer performed in 1996. The bronze bust of the superstar was due to be unveiled on what would have been Jackson's 52nd birthday, Aug 29. But thousands of Czechs are furious at the prospect of having a statue of the singer. A local art gallery has proposed installing a piece of work by a contemporary Czech artist instead. MJ, as he was known, died June 25 last year.