Philadelphia City Council have agreed R. Kelly is no longer welcome in the city.
On Thursday (January 31), the leaders passed a unanimous resolution to ‘mute’ the singer.
The decision is in accordance with the grassroots movement known as ‘Mute R. Kelly’, which started in Atlanta but has since been picked up by the council in the Pennsylvania city.
The Mute R. Kelly website explains:
We have come together to call for a worldwide mute on R&B singer, Robert “R” Kelly, due to his 25 year history of sexual, physical and emotional abuse allegations.
While he hasn’t been found guilty in a court of law, the evidence is overwhelming that he has created an uninterrupted pattern of sexual violence in the African American community that must be stopped.
If the court system is unable to protect our young Black women and girls, we must step forward to do so ourselves.
The Ignition singer has faced accusations of sexual misconduct and abuse for more than two decades, allegations which were recently explored in a six-part documentary titled Surviving R. Kelly.
Shortly after the show aired, the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office reportedly opened an investigation into allegations made against the singer.
Philadelphia City Council member Helen Gym introduced the new resolution against Kelly, tweeting:
Today my resolution honoring the #MuteRKelly movement is up for a vote in @PHLCouncil. I’m so moved to hear testimony from advocates, survivors, and organizers in support.
Today our resolution honoring the #MuteRKelly movement passed in @PHLCouncil. Philly stands with survivors.
According to CBS Philly, Helen explained:
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.
This symbolic act of solidarity puts all sexual predators on notice.
The rapper has denied all allegations made against him.
If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence contact the Rape Crisis England and Wales helpline on 0808 802 9999 (12-2:30 and 7-9:30). Alternatively you can contact Victim Support on 08 08 16 89 111.
Male Survivors Partnership is available to support adult male survivors of sexual abuse and rape. You can contact the organisation on its website or on its helpline – 0808 800 5005.
Emily Brown first began delivering important news stories aged just 13, when she launched her career with a paper round. She graduated with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University, and went on to become a freelance writer and blogger. Emily contributed to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news as well as longer form features.