The lengthy arm of the regulation will get a giant embrace.
1000’s of New York’s Best packed Madison Sq. Backyard Saturday evening for a free, star-studded live performance honoring their service in a spirited push to spice up morale throughout the drive – an inaugural occasion set to develop into an annual custom.
The “Thank You, NYPD” live performance – spearheaded by MSG Leisure CEO and govt chairman James Dolan – welcomed over 15,000 cops and civilian workers, together with their households, to be entertained by comedians, Grammy Award-winning legends, and blue-backing actors.
“I’m completely excited,” Officer Andy Guo, of the sixtieth Precinct, informed The Publish forward of the live performance, noting he was most excited to see Cyndi Lauper carry out.
“I believe [the concert] simply highlights the significance of what my brothers and sisters do each day.”
The occasion raised $500,000 for the New York Metropolis Police Basis.
“The donation was made doable with the help of MSG Leisure and different New York Metropolis companies and leaders, together with Invoice Ackman, CEO of Pershing Sq. Capital Administration, who matched each greenback donated as much as $250,000,” the Backyard mentioned in a press launch.
Along with the “Women Simply Need to Have Enjoyable” crooner, singer John Fogerty and rapper Fats Joe took the stage and belted their hit tunes, whereas headlining comedians Chris Distefano and Sam Morril had the energetic crowd roaring with laughter.
Officer Christopher De Sciora, additionally of the sixtieth Precinct and an enormous fan of Fats Joe and Distefano, credited MSG for internet hosting the occasion whereas sharing his satisfaction within the drive.
“Having the ability to assist our group day in and time out, you understand, it’s what we like to do,” he mentioned.
“It’s why we placed on the uniform on a regular basis.”
All through the occasion, Hollywood stars and athletes, together with Tracy Morgan, Rosie Perez and former Knicks participant Stephon Marbury, additionally took the stage to specific their appreciation for the NYPD.
Thank-you clips from the general public, together with messages from heavyweights resembling Jerry Seinfeld and Darryl Strawberry, have been additionally performed in the course of the occasion. As a part of Dolan’s initiative, folks have been inspired to thank cops immediately or submit a video featured on the live performance.
Dolan, who footed manufacturing and working prices and supplied The Backyard rent-free, beforehand informed The Publish he wished to stage the gratitude occasion to point out Huge Apple cops how a lot they’re valued amid rhetoric that usually condemns the police.
“We expect that in your and my world, the place there’s a lot cynicism and negativity, that this was a chance to do one thing actually constructive for New York,” the New York Knicks proprietor mentioned.
“And the NYPD is a extremely massive piece of New York. Administrations come, administrations go. The NYPD is at all times there. We’re actually simply targeted on them, I hope we will all agree that we must always be thankful for the efforts of the NYPD.”
MSG Networks informed The Publish Saturday that it plans to proceed the goodwill marketing campaign all year long, with the live performance turning into an annual occasion for the drive, which has about 33,000 officers and 15,000 civilian workers.
Madison Sq. Backyard has a historical past of rallying New Yorkers for giant civic occasions, resembling “The Live performance for New York Metropolis” following the 9/11 assaults, “From the Huge Apple to the Huge Straightforward” after Hurricane Katrina and “12-12-12: The Live performance for Sandy Reduction” following Tremendous Storm Sandy.
