Source: Kevin Winter / Getty
Philly celebrates the Fourth of July with a huge party on the city’s Ben Franklin Parkway, the thoroughfare that sports fans recognize from the Eagles’ Super Bowl celebrations. This year’s headliners, LL Cool J and Jazmine Sullivan, were scheduled to perform before the big fireworks display.
However, it didn’t happen because LL took a stand for the city’s DC33 union, which is currently embroiled in a strike that has left the city strewn with garbage. Philly’s first female mayor, Cherelle Parker and the union are far apart on a pay raise for one of the lowest-paid unions in the city. DC33 encompasses garbage workers, 911 operators, recreation center and library personnel and more. The workers earn an average of $46,000 and are requesting a 5% raise. Parker has countered with a 2.75% raise with a 3% hike over the next two years.
LL, born James Todd Smith, 57, said he could not in good conscience perform while union workers were on strike.
“There’s absolutely no way I can perform, cross a picket line, and pick up money when I know that people are out there fighting for a living wage,” he said in an Instagram post that he captioned “Dear Philly…”
Parker said in her own statement that while she was disappointed in his decision, she understood it and invited him back to Philadelphia.
“I spoke personally with LL Cool J,” Parker said on her own social media profile. “I respect his decision and his desire to see the city of Philadelphia unified. He is always welcome in Philadelphia.”
Sullivan quickly followed, also dropping out of the show.
On her Instagram account, she said that she hopes the city will “find a way to bring fair living wages to our working class.”
“I love my city and I believe in you,” Sullivan said. “Hopefully, we will get to celebrate when things are better.”
Mayor Parker said she understood.
“I respect Jazmine’s decision and understand her desire to see the City unified. I feel exactly the same – our mission every day is ‘One Philly, A United City.’ Jazmine, your hometown loves you!”
Negotiations continue in the ongoing strike. Meanwhile, stacked piles of garbage are strewn everywhere in the City of Brotherly Love, as the mayor has set up dozens of alternate collection sites, which are supposed to be disposed of by private haulers. Instead, the piles of trash are growing bigger.
And that’s not the only bad news in Philadelphia lately. Over the holiday weekend, 43 people were shot, including three who died at a block party in South Philadelphia.
