A Change.org petition that urges Travis Scott, Big Boi and Maroon 5 to take a knee during their performances for the 2019 Super Bowl halftime show has already gotten over 85,000 signatures as of Tuesday (Jan. 15) with a goal of 150,000.
This petition creator Vic Oyedeji says, “It appears these artists aren’t backing out at this point,” Oyedeji wrote in the description for a new petition. “So now what? There’s one way they can still redeem their reputation with their fans. Maroon 5, Travis Scott, and Big Boi: take a knee during your set.”
Oyedeji’s problems stem from the NFL’s perceived treatment of Colin Kaepernick, a former San Francisco 49ers quarterback who became a polarizing figure after he knelt during the playing of the National Anthem before the start of NFL games in the fall of 2016. It’s been rumored that artists like Cardi B, Jay Z, & Rihanna have rejected the chance to perform at the 2019 Super Bowl because of their support for Colin Kaepernick.
According to previous reports, Travis Scott only accepted the gig on the condition that the NFL agree to donate his performance fee to a charity of his choice. $500,000 will now be going to the Dream Corps charity, Van Jones’ non-profit organization that has been at the forefront of social justice issues.
Jay-Z had reportedly tried to talk Travis Scott out of the performance in an effort to support Kaepernick. Hov had reportedly turned down a 2017 Super Bowl halftime performance for that same reason. Actor Michael B. Jordan previously spoke out against Travis’ decision as well.
“Man, that’s something that I’m not that happy with,” Jordan told TMZ. “We all trying to stick together on this one. We are trying to stand behind something right now. It’s like, we all have to collectively try to do that.”
We’ll have to see what happens.
