A resolution proposing the city of Philadelphia ban R. Kelly has passed, according to The Washington Times.
Lawmakers unanimously voted Thursday to pass the motion. Helen Gym, a Democratic councilperson who co-sponsored the bill, released the following statement:
“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. We reject a system that silences black women and
accepts black pain. Believe survivors. R. Kelly is not welcome in
Philadelphia.”
Last month, Lifetime aired the documentary Surviving R. Kelly, which featured interviews with women who said they were abused by the singer; covered his marriage to a then-15-year-old Aaliyah; and covered his child pornography trial, during which he was acquitted in 2008.
Kelly, who has denied all allegations against him, has also been dropped by Sony Music.
There are currently no criminal charges against the singer.
