Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

The National Organization for Women (NOW) supports the call to #MuteRKelly and we add our voices to our sisters’ inspiring call to action. We join with the Time’s Up Women of Color who are calling for R. Kelly’s record label, concert producers and related music industry companies to cut ties with the singer, who has faced multiple accusations of sexual misconduct, statutory rape, aggravated assault, child pornography and imprisonment of women under threats of violence, among other charges.

The National Organization of Women (NOW) supports this call to #MuteRKelly. As Time’s Up Women of Color wrote in their open letter,

“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.”

R. Kelly has been accused of horrific acts of sexual abuse going back two decades or more—and yet the entertainment industry has continually enabled and supported him. Enough is Enough, R. Kelly! And time’s up as well for an industry that overlooks sexual assault in the interest of profit.

Enough with the culture of sexual violence. NOW calls for an independent, thorough investigation of R. Kelly’s criminal acts, and an industry-wide reckoning to stop abetting sexual predators and start prioritizing respect for women.

Contact

Dee Donavanik, press@now.org, 951-547-1241