Council member Helen Gym explains that this ban of the 'I Believe I Can Fly' hitmaker's music in the City of Brotherly Love is a 'symbolic act of solidarity' to warn all sexual predators.
- February 2, 2019
AceShowbiz - City council members in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania have voted to "mute" embattled singer R. Kelly.
The "I Believe I Can Fly" hitmaker has been dominating headlines in recent weeks thanks to the release of the documentary series "Surviving R. Kelly", which chronicled the longrunning allegations of physical, sexual, and mental abuse reportedly suffered by a string of women at the hands of the 52-year-old.
Over the years, Kelly has also been accused of inappropriate conduct with underage girls, although he has firmly denied all the claims made against him.
The ongoing scandal sparked a social media movement to "mute" Kelly last year (18), with activists encouraging music lovers to stop listening to his work to reduce his royalty earnings, and on Thursday, January 31, council members in Philadelphia showed their support for his alleged victims by passing a unanimous resolution to "mute" R. Kelly.
Today our resolution honoring the #MuteRKelly movement passed in @PHLCouncil. Philly stands with survivors. pic.twitter.com/Kg7T172as8
— Helen Gym (@HelenGymAtLarge) January 31, 2019
Although the motion is just symbolic, lawmakers are using the action to make it clear he is not welcome in the City of Brotherly Love.
"This resolution is about fundamentally stating a public declaration that R. Kelly and sexual predators like him don't belong in a public sphere, with public support," council member Helen Gym says. "This symbolic act of solidarity puts all sexual predators on notice."
