LL Cool J And Jazmine Sullivan Pull Out Of Philly’s July 4 Live performance

[ad_1] by Daniel Johnson July 5, 2025

Each artists stated they might not cross the picket line, taking a transparent stand in solidarity with the employees.

LL Cool J and Jazmine Sullivan have introduced their help for the placing members of Philadelphia’s municipal employees union by pulling out of their scheduled performances on the Wawa Welcome America Fourth of July Live performance on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Each artists stated they might not cross the picket line, taking a transparent stand in solidarity with the employees.

Based on CBS Information, legendary Hip-Hop artist LL Cool J introduced in a video posted to social media on July 3 that he determined to not “cross a picket line” as the employees and town continued to barter for a dwelling wage.

“Yo, so, I perceive there’s quite a bit happening in Philadelphia proper now, and I by no means, ever, ever wish to disappoint my followers, particularly Philadelphia, y’all imply an excessive amount of to me,” LL Cool J stated in a video posted to his Instagram account on July 3. “However there’s completely no approach that I can carry out, cross a picket line, and choose up cash after I know that persons are on the market preventing for a dwelling wage. I’m not doing that, you recognize what I’m saying? I’ve been coming to Philly my complete life, you recognize? I've respect for town, you recognize what I’m saying? In fact, I hope, I hope, I hope that the mayor and town could make a deal, I hope it really works out. I’m nonetheless going to come back to Philly in case it really works out. I’m going to be on the town, y’all. I’m simply letting you recognize, I’m not going to cross a picket line and carry out for cash when persons are hurting. That’s it, so I really like y’all. I’m on my technique to Philly. Peace and love.”

Sullivan, a Philadelphia native, and LL Cool J had been chosen to headline the occasion, and much like the rapper, she selected to make use of her social media account to share her personal solidarity with the employees, posting to her Instagram Tales that she was pulling out of the Fourth of July Live performance to be able to “stand with Philly’s DC33.”

DC33 employees in Philly are the bottom paid of the municipal unions, making $46,000 on common. When town refused to provide them the elevate they're searching for, they walked out on strike. Now town stinks, and persons are rapidly studying simply how important these employees are. pic.twitter.com/6rxQW8yUVr

— Extra Excellent Union (@MorePerfectUS) July 3, 2025

Should you’re questioning why DC 33 is on strike this morning, hearken to what President Boulware stated final night time 👇

Keep in mind- Philadelphia works as a result of DC 33 does!@afscme33 pic.twitter.com/bpwjFm1ed5

— Philly AFL-CIO (@PhillyAFLCIO) July 1, 2025

AFSCME District Council 33, Philadelphia’s largest union representing town’s blue-collar employees, has been on strike since 12:01 a.m. on July 1, and since that point, rubbish has been piling up because the union fights for larger wages and higher healthcare advantages for its members.

In an announcement, DC 33 President Greg Boulware praised LL Cool J, and later talked about Sullivan’s help. “LL Cool J’s determination to face in solidarity with the labor motion by selecting to not cross a picket line is a strong testomony to his respect for employees’ rights,” Boulware wrote in an announcement.

Boulware continued, “His actions spotlight the significance of supporting those that try for truthful remedy and higher working situations. By prioritizing the dignity and respect of laborers over potential fan disappointment, LL Cool J sends a robust message in regards to the worth of unity and collective motion. His help underscores the importance of the labor motion and its ongoing struggle for justice and fairness. We're grateful for his exemplary stance and the affect it has on elevating consciousness and fostering respect for working individuals in every single place. LL Cool J actually is the G.O.A.T.!”

He concluded, “It’s actually refreshing to witness a celeb of her (Sullivan’s) stature and a local Philadelphian recognizing and valuing the tireless dedication of municipal employees.”

Philadelphia’s mayor, Cherelle Parker, launched her personal assertion, and advised the outlet that town’s negotiating group was keen to satisfy with the union, however the union’s management declined the assembly.

Based on The Philadelphia Inquirer, Parker, who has described herself as a “pro-labor mayor” stated that the supply town prolonged to its employees was their finest and closing supply, however as trash continues to pile up, and folks proceed to publicly help the union, one other, finest supply is more likely to come.

The present strike, per their reporting, has some themes in frequent with town’s final strike in 1986, and through the three weeks of that strike, because it has to date, as trash piled up, stress mounted on town to make a deal.

The employees which are represented by DC33, in contrast to town’s different municipal employees, are majority Black, and the union is primarily involved with successful a elevate to the employees’ common wage of $46,000 per yr.

Native labor leaders and numerous Philadelphia Metropolis Council members have expressed help for the placing employees, Councilmembers Kendra Brooks and Nicolas O’Rourke, members of the progressive Working Households Occasion, issued a joint assertion, indicating their help for the placing employees.

Of their joint assertion, they indicated that they “stand able to help placing employees and all Philadelphians who're impacted by any disruption to companies, and we urge the Mayor to avert the strike by signing a contract that places working households first.”