Madonna to US fans: Appreciate your freedom

The Associated Press, Tuesday, August 28, 2012, 10:02pm (PDT)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- As she kicked off the U.S. leg of her "MDNA Tour" in Philadelphia, Madonna said she was happy to party in the USA after touring Europe for three months.

The pop icon told the crowd Tuesday night they should "never forget how lucky you are to live where you live and to have the freedom that you have." She made the comments after talking about punk-rock group Pussy Riot's recent arrest in Moscow for the female band's lyrical content about Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Madonna said it was no coincidence that she opened her U.S. tour "where the Declaration of Independence was signed." Then the 53-year-old yelled: "We are in the land of democracy."

She also told the crowd: "Don't get fat and lazy and take that freedom for granted."