#MuteRKelly: Time's Up Joins R. Kelly Boycott Amid Ongoing Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Time’s Up is now lending its voice and support for the #MuteRKelly campaign in response to R. Kelly‘s years of alleged sexual misconduct.
The movement, which launched in January to help fight systemic sexual harassment in Hollywood and beyond, and its Women of Color subcommittee released a statement to announce its support for #MuteRKelly on Monday.
“The recent court decision against Bill Cosby is one step towards addressing these ills but it is just a start. We call on people everywhere to join with us to insist on a world in which women of all kinds can pursue their dreams free from sexual assault, abuse and predatory behavior. To this end, today we join an existing online campaign called #MuteRKelly,” the statement read.
Celebrities, including Lupita Nyong’o, Eva Longoria, Kerry Washington, Ava DuVernay and Brie Larson, have also shared their support for #MuteRKelly on social media.
To donate to the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund, which will provide subsidized legal support to women and men in all industries who have experienced sexual harassment, assault, or abuse in the workplace, visit its GoFundMe page. Learn more about Time’s Up, an organization of women in entertainment combating sexual harassment and inequality, on its website.
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“The scars of history make certain that we are not interested in persecuting anyone without just cause,” the statement continued. “With that said, we demand appropriate investigations and inquiries into the allegations of R. Kelly’s abuse made by women of color and their families for over two decades now. And we declare with great vigilance and a united voice to anyone who wants to silence us: Their time is up.”
Some of the corporations and venues Time’s Up called out include RCA Records — Kelly’s label — as well as Ticketmaster, Spotify and Apple Music. The Greensboro Coliseum Complex was also urged to cancel Kelly’s May 11 concert. Management for the venue have declined PEOPLE’s request for comment.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Kelly’s performance at the 2018 Love Jam, to be held May 5 at UIC Pavilion in his home city, has been canceled. While no reason is given, Ticketmaster’s page for the event include a note reading “R. Kelly is no longer performing.” However, representatives for Kelly tell the Tribune that they have not received notice of any cancellation and that Kelly “has been looking forward to performing for his fans in his hometown.”
Kelly’s management have responded to the #MuteRKelly movement in a statement issued to PEOPLE. The strongly-worded message rejects the criminal accusations leveled at the singer, and characterizes the campaign as the “lynching of a black man who has made extraordinary contributions to our culture.” It goes on to state that Kelly is “the target of a greedy, conscious and malicious conspiracy to demean him, his family and the women with whom he spends his time.”
In early April, several key members of Kelly’s organization, including attorney Linda Mensch, publicist Trevian Kutti, and executive assistant Diana Copeland, all announced that they have severed ties with the singer.
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Accusations of sexual misconduct have followed Kelly for years, and a BBC Three documentary, released in late March, explored Kelly’s alleged behavior with an interview from Kelly’s ex-girlfriend Kitti Jones claiming that she was “physically, mentally, verbally, and sexually” abused.
In a previous statement to PEOPLE, a rep for Kelly denied allegations Jones made in a Rolling Stone article from October 2017. Kelly also dismissed a BuzzFeed story titled “R. Kelly Is Holding Women Against Their Will in a ‘Cult,’ Parents Told Police,” calling the claims “a bunch of crap” on social media in July.
His then-lawyer Mensch also denied the allegations in a statement to PEOPLE, saying, “Mr. Robert Kelly is both alarmed and disturbed at the recent revelations attributed to him. Mr. Kelly unequivocally denies such allegations and will work diligently and forcibly to pursue his accusers and clear his name.”
