Wednesday, August 29, 2012 3:31pm ET by  
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Madonna kicks off American tour and tells fans 'don't get fat and lazy and don't take freedom for granted'

The Queen of Pop kicked off her MDNA tour in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania last night (August 28) and told her audience to appreciate the freedom they're allowed in their country.

Madonna explained to her fans that it's important to never take "freedom of expression" for granted and her comments come just after the sentencing and imprisonment of Russian punk band, Pussy Riot, who she publicly supported during their trial:

"In my travels around the world the one thing I truly witnessed is we, in America, have freedom of speech, freedom of expression. I don't think that it's a coincidence that I'm in the city where the Declaration of Independence was signed. We are in the land of democracy. Never forget how lucky you are to live where you live and to have the freedom that you have... Don't get fat and lazy and take that freedom for granted."

Despite being an hour late with the opening of her concert at the Wells Fargo Center, Madonna added that she wanted to give gig-goers the show they deserved:

"We had many changes to make from Europe to America, and I wanted the show to be perfect for you because my fans deserve it and quite frankly I deserve it."

 

 

 

Watch Madonna perform 'Gang Bang' at the show here: