On Thursday (Jan. 31), The Philadelphia City Council reportedly voted unanimously in favor of Councilwoman Helen Gym’s “Mute R. Kelly” resolution, which pushed to ban R. Kelly from the city, CBS Philly reports.
Gym confirmed the resolution’s passing on Twitter on Jan. 31. “We reject a system that silences black women and accepts black pain. We believe survivors. R. Kelly is not welcome in Philadelphia. This symbolic act of solidarity puts all sexual predators on notice.”
The councilwoman previously introduced the resolution last week. She revealed that it stemmed from conversations surrounding the Lifetime docuseries, Surviving R. Kelly, which explored the years of sexual abuse allegations brought against the R&B singer.
“If you’re a rapist or a child molester, you’re not welcome in Philadelphia,” Gym told local news at the time of the bill proposal. “I think we live at an incredible moment in time where we are no longer accepting the protection of powerful men at the expense of women.”
To be clear: the resolution isn’t exactly enforceable. Kelly will not be arrested or physically removed if he sets foot in the city. However, Gym stated that the resolution is simply a clear message to Kelly that Philly stands in solidarity with his survivors and the #MuteRKelly movement.
Today our resolution honoring the #MuteRKelly movement passed in @PHLCouncil. Philly stands with survivors. pic.twitter.com/Kg7T172as8
— Helen Gym (@HelenGymAtLarge) January 31, 2019
We live in a powerful moment where we can say we will no longer accept a system that protects powerful men at the expense of women. #MuteRKelly
— Helen Gym (@HelenGymAtLarge) January 31, 2019