- LL Cool J has withdrawn from headlining Philadelphia's Fourth of July concert, stating he will not cross a picket line formed by striking municipal workers.
- Nearly 10,000 Philadelphia city workers, primarily represented by AFSCME District Council 33, are on strike demanding better pay and improved work conditions.
- The rapper announced his decision via Instagram, emphasising his refusal to perform for money while people are fighting for a living wage, though he will still be in the city.
- The strike, which commenced earlier in the week, has seen negotiations between the city and union leaders stall, with no immediate new talks scheduled.
- The union, representing a majority of the city's blue-collar workforce, is also seeking flexibility on the city residency requirement for employees.
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