Kesha supporters to protest outside Sony headquarters

After a week of public anger over a New York court’s refusal to allow Kesha out of her record contract, the singer’s supporters will again rally outside Sony Music Entertainment headquarters in New York later today (10 am US East Coast time).

Over the two-hour protest, they will demand that she be released from her contract from Lukasz ’Dr. Luke’ Gottwald’s Kemosabe Records, which is owned by Sony.

An earlier rally outside Sony offices was held in January, before the trial began.

“The #FreeKesha movement has shaken the pop culture community,” said Care2 online organizing strategist Lacey Kohlmoos. “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.”

Michael Eisele, who is leading the rally at 550 Madison Ave, added, “Kesha was offered by Sony to record music with producers other than Dr. Luke. However, Kesha is signed with Kemosabe, Dr. Luke’s recording label, which is under Sony Music’s umbrella.

“Therefore, any music Kesha is expected to release will be under his label, have his name on it, earn him profits and will be undoubtedly left to plummet…regardless of who the producer is.”

Last Friday’s ruling was made by New York Supreme Court judge Shirley Kornreich. Kesha alleged rape and abuse against the producer ten years ago when she was 18 and that he took financial advantage of her. In court documents she filed, Kesha pleaded, “I know I cannot work with Dr. Luke. I physically cannot. I don’t feel safe in any way.”

But Judge Kornreich ruled that in the absence of any medical documents to any rape or assault, she had to take a commercial approach to the verdict. It would cause “irreparable harm” to Sony’s business if Kesha’s six-album contract is not fulfilled. She could work with other producers but her music had to go through Dr. Luke’s label.

Dr. Luke has denied the allegations, insisting that she made the claims to break her contract. He twittered his innocence after the court decision on Monday. “This is an ongoing legal case so I won’t be responding / talking much about this,” he proclaimed. “This should be tried in a court of law.”

Taylor Swift donated $250,000 to her cause. At the Brit awards in London on Wednesday night, Adele said during her acceptance speech for Best Solo Female Artist, “I’d also like to take this moment to publicly support Kesha.”

Jack Antonoff of Bleachers and Zedd have offered to produce her future records. Lady Gaga, Lorde, Kelly Clarkson, Demi Lovato, Ariana Grande, Lena Dunham, Anne Hathaway and Mariska Hargitay were among others who publically showed support.

Kesha herself took to social media to thank supporters, saying she was “beyond humbled and thankful. Other entertainers who knowingly put their own careers at stake by supporting me, I will be forever grateful,”

She wanted to make her music without being “afraid, scared, or abused”.

She emphasised, “This case has never been about a renegotiation of my record contract – it was never about getting a bigger, or a better deal. This is about being free from my abuser. I would be willing to work with Sony if they do the right thing and break all ties that bind me to my abuser.”

Kesha said that she wants other survivors of abuse to not be afraid to speak out. “Unfortunately I don’t think that my case is giving people who have been abused confidence that they can speak out, and that’s a problem,” she wrote.

She told abuse victims, “Please don’t be afraid to speak out. There are places that will make you feel safe. There are people who will help you. I, for one, will stand beside you and behind you. I know now how this all feels and will forever fight for you the way perfect strangers have been fighting for me.”

Kesha also cancelled a concert tonight at Chicago’s Loyola University. The university said the singer was disappointed, “but she feels that this is the best decision for her at this time. We respect her decision and wish her well.”