LL Cool J says he won't perform at Wawa Welcome America until Philadelphia strike ends

[Omaha Steve]

https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/ll-cool-j-philadelphia-trash-strike/

By Tom Ingudo, Nikki DeMentri
Updated on: July 4, 2025 / 9:59 AM EDT / CBS Philadelphia

LL Cool J won't perform in the Wawa Welcome America Fourth of July Concert on Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Friday, saying he won't "cross a picket line" amid the ongoing strike in Philadelphia involving the city's largest municipal workers' union.

"Yo, so, I understand there's a lot going on in Philadelphia right now, and I never, ever, ever want to disappoint my fans, especially Philadelphia, y'all mean too much to me," LL Cool J said in a post on Instagram on Thursday night. "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, you know what I'm saying? I've been coming to Philly my whole life, you know? I have respect for the city, you know what I'm saying? Of course, I hope, I hope, I hope that the mayor and the city can make a deal, I hope it works out. I'm still going to come to Philly in case it works out. I'm going to be in town, y'all. I'm just letting you know, I'm not going to cross a picket line and perform for money when people are hurting. That's it, so I love y'all. I'm on my way to Philly. Peace and love."

LL Cool J was a headliner for the annual event along the Parkway with Philadelphia native Jazmine Sullivan.

Philadelphia's largest blue-collar union, AFSCME District Council 33, has been on strike for four days as trash continues to pile up around the city. The union represents trash collectors, police dispatchers and more. Union leaders are fighting for higher wages as well as health care benefits for all members.

FULL story at link above.

I'm a retired AFSCME member, BTW.

OS

[maccafan]

1. Thanks to LL Cool J!

Someone who is willing to stand up for what is right!