Hip-Hop Legend Ll Cool J announced that he was retiring from a July 4 festival in Philadelphia in support of the current strike in the city.
“There is absolutely no way to act, cross a picket line and collect money when I know that people are fighting for a worthy salary,” he said Thursday in a video posted in X.
He made the announcement the night before the Wawa Welcomme America Festival, the annual celebration of the Julio de Julio de Philadelphia. Ll Cool J was ready to head the festival along with the winning singer of Grammy Jazmine Sullivan.
He continued to say that he hoped that “the city can reach an agreement” and that it plans to be in Philadelphia “in case it works.”
The Union, District Council 33 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, began its strike at 12:01 AM on Tuesday morning after a new superior payment contract was not reached. Union members are responsible for essential public services, such as sending 911 and sanitation.
The union responded to Ll Cool J on social networks, saying that it was encouraging to see him use his influence “to defend the causes that matter for common people.”
“The decision of Ll Cool J of staying in solidarity with the labor movement by choosing not crossing a picket line is a powerful testimony of his respect for workers’ rights,” said the union in a statement.
The mayor of Philadelphia, Cherelle Parker, said she was aware of the decision of Ll Cool J of not acting and had “spoken personally” with him.
“I respect your decision and understand your desire to see the unified city. It is always welcome in Philadelphia,” he said in a statement.
Hours before she acted, Sullivan also announced that she was withdrawing from the festival in solidarity with the Union.
“Today I choose not to act at the Wawa Welcomme America concert and be with Philly DC33 until the city and union find a way to bring living wages to our working class,” Sullivan wrote on Instagram.
Parker confirmed that Sullivan had also decided not to act, saying: “I respect Jazmine’s decision and I understand his desire to see our unified city,” and added: “Jasmine, your hometown loves you!”
Greg Boulware, the president of the union, said he was “deeply humiliated” by Sullivan to support his performance.
“It is really refreshing to witness a celebrity of its stature and a native of Philadelphia that recognizes and values the tireless dedication of municipal workers,” he said in a statement.
Wawa Welcoma America is one of the largest July 4 celebrations in the country. A festival representative did not immediately respond to a request for comments.
On July 1, after the city of Philadelphia received three mandates, a judge ordered some union members to return to work. In response, the union encouraged the affected members to “comply with this directive immediately to avoid any legal consequence.”
