“Today I choose to not perform”: Jazmine Sullivan drops out of Welcome America concert amid ongoing worker’s protest

And one of the performers, Philadelphia native Jazmine Sullivan, has said that she will refuse to perform at this year's Wawa Welcome America concert in solidarity with the strikers among the municipal workers. One of the most renowned R\&B forces ever and a staunch Philly Pride, this move by Sullivan can be understood as a statement of allegiance, as she stands in solidarity alongside the blue-collar folk that make her native city tick on a day-to-day basis.

Her announcement followed closely on the heels of that of hip-hop legend LL Cool J, who also withdrew his services in the lineup, saying he did not want to cross the picket line as a way of respecting the struggle of the union.

On Tuesday, District Council 33, which comprises the largest blue-collar municipal workers of the city, began a strike of thousands of sanitation workers, maintenance workers, and other essential employees who are seeking better working conditions and wages.

To many, the Wawa Welcome America concert is one of the highlights of the city celebrating Independence Day, but Sullivan has demonstrated that some platforms are not worth the attention when there are lives at stake. Her decision, which was voiced by the position taken by LL Cool J, can serve as a demonstration of the strength artists have when they decide to defend their communities and not to entertain at their cost.

By leaving the stage and leaving her spotlight behind, Sullivan has brought greater attention to those whose hard work is never fully appreciated in this world, and her absence even on the stage was a commanding statement louder than any note she could have sung on the night.

Jazmine Sullivan steps back from the Wawa Welcome America concert amid city workers' strike

Jazmine Sullivan took to her Instagram story and posted:

"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 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. I love my city and I believe in you. Hopefully w,e will get to celebrate when things are better. -Jaz"

Mayor Cherelle Parker of Philadelphia indicated that she is completely behind the decision of Jazmine to withdraw, citing that she admires how the singer wants the city to unite.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker (@phillymayor)

In the case of Parker, this is a feeling that is shared by the former CFO herself, as she envisions achieving unity through the slogan ,One Philly, a United City, which is her daily administration objective. The mayor, as well, encouraged the locals and visitors to celebrate as scheduled by joining them at the Party on the Parkway. She said,

"I respect Jazmine's decision, and understand her desire to see our City unified. I feel exactly the same - our mission every day is 'One Philly, a United City'. Jazmine, your hometown loves you!"

She invited everyone to come out and have a good time listening to JOJO, Alvaro Diaz, DJ Ghost and Friends, and DJ Hollywood performances, assuring people of good food, a lively atmosphere, and a fireworks show that will illuminate the holiday night. In her words:

"The Party on the Parkway is ON for this evening! Come down and see JOJO, Alvaro Diaz, DJ Ghost and Friends, DJ Hollywood, and enjoy the food, the holiday atmosphere, and then all the Fireworks tonight!"

Parker used this message not only to show his appreciation towards the spirit of Jazmine, but it also served to remind Philadelphians that such times are about celebrating togetherness and the pride that we share as a city.

LL Cool J also dropped his name from the 4th of July concert

Prior to Jazmine Sullivan coming out to take the lead in the show, Philadelphia was meant to have a Fourth of July concert featuring LL Cool J, among other big names that were meant to take the stage to celebrate the Fourth of July. However, in what stirred up greater heads than any performance could, LL Cool J and others who were the headliners chose to leave the event altogether.

It was their decision, not a clash of schedules or a creative disagreement, but clearly a decision to show solidarity with District Council 33, the largest union of blue-collar workers in the city that is currently on strike over worse wages and better working conditions.

Their withdrawal sent a strong signal that these musicians are not just controllers within the performance space; they brought their influence to bear on a cause that strikes right at the center of the Philadelphian working-class culture. Although their no-show prompted an organizational reset, it also served as a reminder that music and activism always stood on the same stage in the history of this city.

Now, as Jazmine Sullivan comes to fill the shoes of the show, the party will go on, but the unity of the people that were replaced has left an impression that will surely reverberate well beyond the fireworks.

In an Instagram post he said:

"I never ever want to disappoint my fans, and especially in Philadelphia. Ya'll mean too much to me, but 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." 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by LL COOL J (@llcoolj)

And finally, a canceling factor occurred when Jazmine Sullivan declined to appear at the Fourth of July concert in Philadelphia simply because it added another consideration to already being a different kind of event, since LL Cool J and other major supporters would also drop out. She made her decision as the District Council 33, the union representing thousands of blue-collar municipal workers who have been pressing to improve their pay and working conditions through negotiations with the city, was on an active labor strike.

Without several artists still on the lineup, planners had to make drastic changes to the program and performers of an event that usually attracts tens of thousands to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway annually. Though some of the gaps were deemed necessary and filled with new acts, other prepared festivities, such as fireworks, proceeded as planned; the loss of some of the previously announced headline bands changed the scope and emphasis of the event.

This brought increased publicity to the labor dispute that affected the decision of the performers. To quite a number of people, the holiday event was not only the annual Independence Day tradition of the city of Philadelphia, but it also interpreted how big group experiences may be directly impacted by local workplace bargaining and the union efforts that may go beyond the stage.

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