LL Cool J, Jazmine Sullivan pull out of Philly July 4 concert due to workers strike
The Philadelphia native has joined LL Cool J in pulling out of the Wawa Welcome America concert because of the city workers' strike.
Jazmine Sullivan and LL Cool J have both pulled out of performing at the Wawa Welcome America Fourth of July Concert in Philadelphia in a show of solidarity with striking workers.
AFSCME District Council 33, the city's largest blue collar workers’ union, has been on strike since Tuesday.
“In this life we are only measured by how we uphold our morals and standards, by what we choose to fight for through participation or protest,” the Philadelphia native wrote on her Instagram story Friday.
“Today I choose to not perform at the Wawa Welcome America concert and stand with Philly’s DC33 until the city and union find a way to bring fair living wages to our working class,” the R&B singer explained.
Sullivan joined LL Cool J, who announced he would not perform late Thursday night.
"I understand there's a lot going on in Philadelphia right now, and I never, ever, ever want to disappoint my fans, especially Philadelphia, y'all mean too much to me," the rapper said in a social media post on Instagram. "But there's absolutely no way that I can perform, cross a picket line, and pick up money when I know that people are out there fighting for a living wage. I'm not doing that, you know what I'm saying?”
According to the Philadelphia Tribune, the artists’ decision marks the first time any entertainer has dropped out of performing at the concert due to protest.
AFSCME District Council 33, comprised of garbage collectors, sanitation workers, airport workers, 911 dispatchers and more, are pushing for wage increases and health care benefits.
This strike is the union’s first major strike in almost 40 years. With the sanitation workers on strike, garbage can been seen piling up across Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said in a social media post that she spoke with LL Cool J and “respects his decision and understand his desire to see the city unified. He is always welcome in Philadelphia.” She made a similiar statement for Sullivan as well.
The concert is set to begin at 7 pm, with perfomances from R&B artist JoJo and rapper Álvaro Díaz.
You gotta stand in the gap for those that need support. I support the stand both artists have taken.
Just sharing thoughts on BBB. https://torrancestephensphd.substack.com/p/you-down-with-bbb-yeah-you-know-me