London's transport authority says it will remove bus adverts proclaiming that the late pop legend Michael Jackson was innocent over child sexual abuse claims. Transport for London (TfL) made the decision following a backlash from charities representing victims of child sex abuse.
The posters, which were financed through a crowdfunding campaign, featured the slogans: "FACTS DON'T LIE. PEOPLE DO" and "#MJINNOCENT."
The adverts direct viewers to the website of The Michael Jackson Innocent Project, an organization that seeks to prove Jackson's innocence.
The advertisement campaign was in response to a four-hour documentary, "Leaving Neverland," broadcast last week, which included the accounts of two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who accused Jackson of repeated sexual abuse when they were children.
The Survivors Trust, a charity supporting victims of sexual abuse, expressed concern over the adverts, criticizing TfL for prioritizing "advertising revenue over the option of remaining neutral on such an emotional topic."
"An advertising campaign such as this, paid for by a supporter of an alleged perpetrator, only serves to support a toxic social narrative that prevents survivors from thinking they will be believed and speaking up," the charity told CNN in a statement.
TfL stated it had reviewed its position and "will be removing these advertisements." "They have been rejected due to the public sensitivity and concern around their content," TfL said in a statement.
Taj Jackson, Michael's nephew, responded to news of TfL's decision, writing on Twitter: "Let me know if there is any legal recourse for this from my end."
The MJ Innocent Project also expressed concern over the announcement, but noted that the campaign is "much bigger" than the adverts, and will continue to highlight the "grave miscarriage of justice" that Jackson is suffering as a result of the accusations. The campaign told CNN that they are "looking into all possible options" about how to continue spreading their message.
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