Kesha fans have attended a protest outside the Sony offices in New York one week after a court ruled that the pop star cannot leave her contract with the label.
The singer has accused Dr Luke of drugging and raping her a decade ago. Last week (February 19), she was denied an exit from her recording contract with the producer by the New York Supreme Court.
Fans are protesting in hope that Kesha will be released from her contract with Dr. Luke’s Kemosabe Records, an imprint of the Sony-owned RCA. The group have gathered outside Sony’s Headquarters on Madison Avenue.
Vice offshoot Broadly quotes one protester as saying: “This isn’t just about Kesha, this is about making sure all survivors of sexual abuse feel like they can be brave enough to come forward”.
Another fan reportedly said: “This goes beyond music and speaks to situations where women’s voices have been silenced”.
We're outside the Sony building where protesters are chanting #freekesha pic.twitter.com/gJbLFWdXSV
— VICE Identity (@broadly) February 26, 2016
This poster is of one of Kesha's unreleased singles "Look it up on YouTube" says Lori from the Bronx pic.twitter.com/VWgqixZ2Ob
— VICE Identity (@broadly) February 26, 2016
"This isn't just about Kesha, this is about making sure all survivors of sexual abuse feel like they can be brave enough to come forward"
— VICE Identity (@broadly) February 26, 2016
"Sony likes to say they don't have the power to free Kesha, but they're Dr Luke's boss" – @keshatoday #freekesha
— VICE Identity (@broadly) February 26, 2016
"This goes beyond music and speaks to situations where women's voices have been silenced" #freekesha pic.twitter.com/fbipHIOhx4
— VICE Identity (@broadly) February 26, 2016
protesters want one thing #freekesha pic.twitter.com/XZD7ulbOao
— VICE Identity (@broadly) February 26, 2016
protesters chanting to #freekesha pic.twitter.com/KBuQ7BX0z6
— VICE Identity (@broadly) February 26, 2016
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#freekesha protest happening now in NYC pic.twitter.com/MLaBwIYAgT
— Emily Oberg (@EmilyeOberg) February 26, 2016
The protest has been organised by online activists Care2. Lacey Kohlmoos of the company told Billboard: “Whether or not Kesha’s music affected someone personally, this case represents the unfair treatment of sexual assault survivors around the globe. It is important for Sony to see the uproar they have caused, so protesters are bringing it right to their front door.”
Since the ruling was made, #FreeKesha has been trending on Twitter with some of the biggest female musicians in the world joining in. Girls creator Lena Dunham said the court case made her feel “actually sick” while Adele dedicated her Brit award win to the pop star.
Meanwhile, Dr Luke has repeatedly denied the accusations and released a statement via his lawyer on Monday (February 22). “I didn’t rape Kesha and I have never had sex with her,” he added on Twitter, claiming that Kesha’s lawsuit is “motivated by money”.
Sony recently broke its silence on the matter, saying in a statement: “Sony has made it possible for Kesha to record without any connection, involvement or interaction with Luke whatsoever, but Sony is not in a position to terminate the contractual relationship between Luke and Kesha. Sony is doing everything it can to support the artist in these circumstances, but is legally unable to terminate the contract to which it is not a party.”