LL Cool J, Jazmine Sullivan drop out of Wawa Welcome America July Fourth concert in support of striking city workers

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After rapper LL Cool J dropped out of performing at Philadelphia’s Wawa Welcome America July Fourth Concert, city native Jazmine Sullivan has now also canceled her performance.

Sullivan, a Grammy-award winning R&B singer and songwriter, said that, like LL Cool J, she also stood in solidarity with the city’s striking municipal workers.

The singer announced in a message posted on social media that she would not perform 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,” Sullivan said. “Hopefully we will get to celebrate when things are better.”

Her cancellation is the latest development in the showdown between the 9,000 union members of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District Council 33, who went out on strike July 1, and Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration.

Late Thursday night, LL Cool J announced his decision to not perform in a video he posted to social media, saying he would not cross the picket line.

“I never, ever, ever want to disappoint my fans,” he said. “But there is 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.”

The artists were scheduled to perform Friday night alongside DJ Z-Trip, Grammy-nominated pop and R&B star JoJo and Puerto Rican singer and songwriter Alvaro Diaz.

The holiday celebrations continue as striking workers are fighting for higher wages in a new contract with the city.

The mayor’s and city leaders’ attempts to end the municipal workers’ strike before the holiday failed, though the city has forced some workers back on the job through court orders.

“I’ve been coming to Philly my whole life, I have respect for the city,” LL Cool J said. “I hope that the mayor and the city can make a deal. I hope it works out.”

In a statement on social media Thursday night, Parker said she was aware of the rapper’s decision to cancel his performance.

“I spoke personally with LL Cool J today. I respect his decision, and understand his desire to see the city unified,” Parker said. “He is always welcome in Philadelphia.”

The rapper said he will still be in town for the holiday.

The parkway concert begins at 7 p.m., followed by a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. over the Philadelphia Museum of Art.