LL Cool J Exits Philly Concert Amid Workers Strike

LL Cool J has withdrawn from headlining Philadelphia's July 4th Wawa Welcome America concert in solidarity with striking AFSCME District Council 33 municipal workers, stating he would not cross the picket line while workers are fighting for better wages and working conditions. LL Cool J was to co-headline the event with Jazmine Sullivan and has said he will remain in Philadelphia in case the dispute is resolved before the concert. The strike, involving about 9,000 city workers, has disrupted essential services, including trash collection. Negotiations between union leaders and city officials, including Mayor Cherelle Parker, briefly resumed but ended without resolution. Union leaders praised LL Cool J’s support for the labor movement, and both the union and city leadership acknowledged his decision. The event is still scheduled to proceed, pending any developments in the labor dispute.