‘Michael Jackson Monday’: Popular cafe plays the King of Pop’s hits on repeat in defiance of radio station bans across the world
- Kalee Haakma owns Thy Neighbour Coffee Bar in Tauranga, New Zealand
- She has declared March 11 to be ‘Michael Jackson Monday’ in honour of singer
- Ms Haakma is refusing to watch the ‘Leaving Neverland’ documentary
- She said sexual abuse claims made in the film are ‘ridiculous’ and ‘bullying’
A cafe has defied the banning of Michael Jackson’s music across the world by playing the star’s hits on repeat.
Kalee Haakma owns Thy Neighbour Coffee Bar in Tauranga, New Zealand, and has declared March 11 to be ‘Michael Jackson Monday’.
Ms Haakma disputes the claims made in the documentary Leaving Neverland, in which two men allege Jackson sexually abused them when they were children.
Kalee Haakma (pictured) owns Thy Neighbour Coffee Bar in Tauranga, New Zealand, and has declared March 11 to be ‘Michael Jackson Monday’
Ms Haakma disputes the claims made in the documentary Leaving Neverland, in which two men allege Jackson (pictured) sexually abused them
The café owner said the claims made in the documentary by Wade Robson, 36, and James Safechuck, 40, were ‘ridiculous’ and ‘a form of bullying’
‘It’s a very one-sided story. There is evidence out there that supports his innocence,’ she told the Bay of Plenty Times.
Ms Haakma said she refuses to watch the documentary.
‘He’s dead so he’s not able to support himself. From what I’ve seen on social media, a lot of people do support him and support his innocence and there doesn’t seem to be very many people who think he is guilty,’ she said.
The café owner said the claims made in the documentary by Wade Robson, 36, and James Safechuck, 40, were ‘ridiculous’ and ‘a form of bullying’.
Ms Haakma took to Instagram to speak out against the documentary.
‘It’s too easy for malicious people to make negative claims against brilliant minds, good souls and kind hearts, together we’ll stand for MJ and other people who have experienced/or do experience bullying in any form,’ she posted.
‘Get your moonwalk on and come have a coffee [and] boogie with me!’
His songs have proven popular on the New Zealand music charts since the documentary was released.
New Zealand’s iTunes albums chart features two of Jackson’s records in the current top 100, with his Number Ones greatest hits coming in at number 41.
Michael Jackson with Wade Robson (pictured right) – the two met after Robson won a dance competition in Brisbane aged five
Wade Robson (pictured), 36, is featured in Leaving Neverland, where he accuses Jackson of child sex abuse
The Essential Michael Jackson has climbed to 76, while Thriller has climbed to 133 and Bad to 142.
This surge in popularity comes despite some radio stations around the world banning Jackson’s music from the airwaves, including in Australia.
Leaving Neverland features interviews with Mr Safechuck and Mr Robson – as well as their family members – about their first encounters with the singer and how they were allegedly groomed by him.
James Safechuck (pictured) was also allegedly a victim of child abuse at the hands of Jackson between the ages of 10 and 14
Both men were involved in Jackson’s 2005 child molestation trial, with Mr Robson testifying the singer never molested him.
Mr Robson has since retracted his statement, declaring he was scared of the potential consequences if he told the truth.
Jackson repeatedly denied sexual abuse allegations and was eventually acquitted.
The King of Pop passed away on June 25, 2009 of acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication in his Los Angeles home.