Latest news with #WawaWelcomeAmericaFestival
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
LL Cool J, Jazmine Sullivan Cancel Philadelphia Festival Gig in Solidarity With Striking City Workers
LL Cool and Jazmine Sullivan canceled their appearances at a Fourth of July festival in Philadelphia in solidarity with the city workers who are on strike in Philly. Both the rapper and the Philadelphia-born R&B singer were scheduled to perform at the Wawa Welcome America Festival on Friday, but hours before the performance, LL Cool J announced in a video statement on social media that he would forego the gig in support of the 10,000 city employees — ranging from 911 dispatchers to trash collectors to water department workers, the Associated Press reports — who walked off the job Tuesday in an effort to secure better pay and benefits. More from Rolling Stone LL Cool J Takes a Trip Through NYC Rap History in New 'Hip-Hop Was Born Here' Trailer Lil Wayne Fleetingly Reminds Us Why He's One of the Best Rock the Bells Festival Is Back With a Class of 2025 Edition 'I understand there's a lot going on in Philadelphia right now, and I never, ever, ever wanna disappoint my fans, especially in Philadelphia…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,' LL Cool J said. 'I've been coming to Philly my whole life. I have respect for the city. And I hope, I hope, I hope that, you know, the mayor and the city can make a deal. I hope it works out.' Sullivan wrote on her Instagram Stories, '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. Today I choose not to 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. I love my city and I believe in you. Hopefully we will get to celebrate when things are better.' LL Cool J added that he would still travel to Philadelphia with the hope that an agreement between the workers and the city could be reached, but no deal materialized by Friday. 'I'm not gonna cross a picket line and perform for money when people are hurting,' he reiterated. Best of Rolling Stone Sly and the Family Stone: 20 Essential Songs The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked
NBC News
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
LL Cool J and Jazmine Sullivan back out of Philadelphia July Fourth festival in solidarity with local union
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.'
Mint
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
LL Cool J says he wont perform at Philadelphias July Fourth festival in support of workers strike
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Rapper LL Cool J and R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan say they will not perform at a Fourth of July festival in Philadelphia in support of a strike by nearly 10,000 city workers in Philadelphia. LL Cool J had been scheduled to appear at the Wawa Welcome America Festival on Friday, along with Sullivan and other performers. LL Cool J said in a video posted on social media that '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 hope, I hope, I hope that, you know, the mayor and the city can make a deal. I hope it works out,' he said. LL Cool J also said that he never wants to disappoint his fans and that he plans to be in Philadelphia in case an agreement is reached. The festival comes as the strike moved into a fourth day Friday. Trash has been piling up in some areas, and more than 30 Medical Examiner's Office staffers have been ordered back to work because of a growing backlog of bodies in storage. Sullivan, a Philadelphia native and Grammy award-winning artist, said in a post on Instagram on Friday that she would stand with the striking workers 'until the city and the union find a way to bring fair living wages to our working class. I love my city and I believe in you,' she wrote. 'Hopefully we will get to celebrate when things are better.' The latest talks between the city and leaders of District Council 33 — the largest of four major unions representing city workers — ended late Wednesday. Both sides have said they were willing to continue negotiations. The union represents many of the city's blue-collar workers, from trash collectors to clerks to security guards. Police and firefighters are not on strike. The city has offered a three-year contract with annual raises of about 3%, which the union said amounts to little more than $1,000 after taxes for members making $46,000 a year on average. Mayor Cherelle Parker has said the city has 'put its best offer on the table.' She stressed that the effective 13% pay hike over her four-year term -- including last year's 5% bump – along with a fifth step on the pay scale would be the best contract the union has seen in decades. Parker responded to LL Cool J's statement, saying that she spoke with him on Thursday. "I respect his decision, and understand his desire to see the city unified," the mayor said. 'He is always welcome in Philadelphia.' The union also responded, saying LL Cool J's support for municipal workers 'highlights his commitment to social justice and community well-being.' 'His support not only brings attention to our efforts but also inspires others to recognize and advocate for the rights and respect of all workers,' the union said. 'It's heartening to see public figures using their influence to champion causes that matter to everyday people.' On Thursday, Common Pleas Court Judge Sierra Thomas-Street approved the city's request to have the medical examiner's office staffers return to work because bodies have been piling up there in storage, posing a health and safety risk. Those workers include death and forensic investigators, forensic technicians and clerks. The order came a day after the judge ordered some emergency service dispatchers and essential water department employees back to work. Mounting trash piles in some parts of the city were also still causing grief for residents and officials, who have strongly urged residents to follow the collection guidelines imposed when the strike began Tuesday. They also urged residents to report problems at the trash collection sites, and noted trash is being cleared as fast as possible and the city is working to open more sites.
Hamilton Spectator
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
LL Cool J says he won't perform at Philadelphia's July Fourth festival in support of workers strike
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Rapper LL Cool J says he will not perform at a Fourth of July festival in Philadelphia in support of a strike by nearly 10,000 city workers in Philadelphia. The rapper and actor had been scheduled to appear at the Wawa Welcome America Festival on Friday, along with R&B singer and Philadelphia native Jazmine Sullivan and other performers. LL Cool J said in a video posted on social media that '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 hope, I hope, I hope that, you know, the mayor and the city can make a deal. I hope it works out,' he said. LL Cool J also said that he never wants to disappoint his fans and that he plans to be in Philadelphia in case an agreement is reached. The festival comes as the strike moved into a fourth day Friday. Trash has been piling up in some areas and more than 30 Medical Examiner's Office staffers have been ordered back to work because of a growing backlog of bodies in storage. The latest talks between the city and leaders of District Council 33 — the largest of four major unions representing city workers — ended late Wednesday. Both sides have said they were willing to continue negotiations. The union represents many of the city's blue-collar workers, from trash collectors to clerks to security guards. Police and firefighters are not on strike. The city has offered a three-year contract with annual raises of about 3%, which the union said amounts to little more than $1,000 after taxes for members making $46,000 a year on average. Mayor Cherelle Parker has said the city has 'put its best offer on the table.' She stressed that the effective 13% pay hike over her four-year term — including last year's 5% bump – along with a fifth step on the pay scale would be the best contract the union has seen in decades. Parker responded to LL Cool J's statement, saying that she spoke with him on Thursday. 'I respect his decision, and understand his desire to see the city unified,' the mayor said. 'He is always welcome in Philadelphia.' The union also responded, saying LL Cool J's support for municipal workers 'highlights his commitment to social justice and community well-being.' 'His support not only brings attention to our efforts but also inspires others to recognize and advocate for the rights and respect of all workers,' the union said. 'It's heartening to see public figures using their influence to champion causes that matter to everyday people.' On Thursday, Common Pleas Court Judge Sierra Thomas-Street approved the city's request to have the medical examiner's office staffers return to work because bodies have been piling up there in storage, posing a health and safety risk. Those workers include death and forensic investigators, forensic technicians and clerks. The order came a day after the judge ordered some emergency service dispatchers and essential water department employees back to work. Mounting trash piles in some parts of the city were also still causing grief for residents and officials, who have strongly urged residents to follow the collection guidelines imposed when the strike began Tuesday. They also urged residents to report problems at the trash collection sites, and noted trash is being cleared as fast as possible and the city is working to open more sites. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Toronto Star
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Star
LL Cool J says he won't perform at Philadelphia's July Fourth festival in support of workers strike
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Rapper LL Cool J says he will not perform at a Fourth of July festival in Philadelphia in support of a strike by nearly 10,000 city workers in Philadelphia. The rapper and actor had been scheduled to appear at the Wawa Welcome America Festival on Friday, along with R&B singer and Philadelphia native Jazmine Sullivan and other performers.
