Hip-hop legend LL Cool J announced that he was pulling out of a Fourth of July festival in Philadelphia in support of municipal workers’ ongoing strike in the city.
“There’s absolutely no way that I could perform, cross a picket line and pick up money when I know that people are out there fighting for a living wage,” he said Thursday in a video posted on X.
He made the announcement the night before the Wawa Welcome America Festival, Philadelphia’s annual July Fourth celebration. LL Cool J was set to headline the festival along with Grammy-winning singer Jazmine Sullivan.
He continued by saying he hoped “the city can make a deal” and that he plans to be in Philadelphia “in case it works out.”
The union, District Council 33 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, began its strike at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday morning after no new agreement for a higher-paying contract was reached. Union members are responsible for essential public services, such as 911 dispatch and sanitation.
The union responded to LL Cool J on social media, saying it was encouraging to see him use his influence “to champion causes that matter to everyday people.”
“LL Cool J’s decision to stand in solidarity with the labor movement by choosing not to cross a picket line is a powerful testament to his respect for workers’ rights,” the union said in a statement.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said she was aware of LL Cool J’s decision to not perform and she had “spoke personally” with him.
“I respect his decision, and understand his desire to see the city unified. He is always welcome in Philadelphia,” she said in a statement.
Hours before she was set to perform, Sullivan also announced she was backing out of the festival in solidarity with the union.
“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,” Sullivan wrote on Instagram.
Parker confirmed that Sullivan had also decided not to perform, saying, “I respect Jazmine’s decision, and understand her desire to see our City unified,” adding: “Jazmine, your hometown loves you!”
Greg Boulware, the union president, said he was “profoundly humbled” by Sullivan’s decision to back out of her performance.
“It’s truly refreshing to witness a celebrity of her stature and a native Philadelphian recognizing and valuing the tireless dedication of municipal workers,” he said in a statement.
Wawa Welcome America is one of the nation’s largest July Fourth celebrations. A representative for the festival did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
On July 1 — after the city of Philadelphia was granted three injunctions — a judge ordered some union members to return to work. In response, the union encouraged affected members to “comply with this directive immediately to avoid any legal consequences.”
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