Madonna calls for peace at Los Angeles concert
( 2001-09-16 11:52 ) (7 )

madonna

Pop diva Madonna led a prayer for peace on Friday at a sold-old concert at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, urging President Bush to show restraint in retaliating for Tuesday's attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center.

``Last night, we had a moment's prayer for everybody who died on Tuesday,'' said the singer, who had opened the show wearing a skirt made from an American flag.

``Tonight I'd like to say a prayer for peace,'' she told the crowd of about 18,000 people. ``Violence begets violence, and I don't know about you, but I want to live a long and happy life, and I want my kids to live a long and happy life.''

The crowd quieted down, but before the prayer minute was up, people began chanting, ``USA, USA!''

Madonna resumed her tour on Thursday night at the Staples Center after canceling her show there on Tuesday in the wake of the attacks in New York and Washington. Security was heightened on Friday at the auditorium.

Ticket-holders were asked to open their bags as they entered the building, which was staffed by extra officers and bomb-sniffing dogs.

``We're not doing this show because we want people to forget,'' she told the audience, which included such celebrities as actress Cameron Diaz and comedian Andy Dick. ``We're doing this because we want people to remember how precious life is.''

The concert featured an array of costumes, fantasy stage effects and elaborate choreography.

``It was horrible (on Tuesday), but I'd like to think of it as a wake-up call. There's terrorism every day all over the world,'' Madonna said.

People with tickets for Tuesday's canceled date will be admitted to Saturday's show.