We meet the people fighting to #FreeKesha

Yesterday, Kesha fans and advocates for sexual abuse survivors gathered outside Sony’s headquarters in Manhattan to urge the music giant to release Kesha from her contract with former mentor Dr. Luke. The protest came after last Friday’s court hearing, in which Kesha was denied an injunction to release her from her contract with Dr. Luke’s label Kemosabe Records (which Sony owns). 

Although she is being forced to remain under contract to Dr. Luke (who Kesha alleges raped her), the singer has been met by an outpouring of support from her fans and peers within the music industry – peers including Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift and Adele. In a statement released earlier this week, Kesha expressed her gratitude, saying “I can’t believe that so many people all over the world took the time to show me support and love.” She then went on to explain that “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’s fans have been pushing for Sony to release her from her contract since the court hearing.  A Care2 petition urging Sony to terminate Kesha’s contract received over 200,000 signatures, prompting Sony to issue a statement to the New York Times saying that it “is legally unable to terminate the contract to which it is not a party”. 

As Kesha’s supporters – led by organisers Care2 and Michael Eisele of @KeshaToday  – took their fight to Sony, Dazed attended to find out why we need to #FreeKesha.

For many of the protestors, Kesha’s case exposes the ugly side of how our society treats victims of sexual abuse. Antony Carea, 22, says “I’m out here for every other victim of sexual abuse. At first I came out to support Kesha, but seeing Kesha walking out of that courtroom crying triggered something in me. Her bravery is like a voice for every person who’s been sexually abused.”

By showing public support for Kesha, Antony hopes that other people who’ve experienced sexual abuse will come forward. “The fact that we’re all out here supporting Kesha I hope [will] encourage people if they do get abused to come out and speak. My voice is a small voice amongst millions, but I hope it can be heard”. 

One of the organisers of the protest, Lacey Kohlmoos from Care2, explains what the protest aims to achieve. “It’s important for Sony to see the uproar they have caused, so protesters are bringing it right to their front door. Care2 and the entire #FreeKesha movement hope to send Sony a clear message that it can and should voluntarily release Kesha from a contract that would force her to record eight more albums with Dr. Luke, her alleged abuser.”

In particular, Lacey feels that “the way our legal system and Sony Music have responded to Kesha's allegations shines a light on how our society ignores and marginalises the voices of women who have been sexually assaulted.”

Everyone we spoke to agreed that the Kesha case is bigger than just one artist: it’s about how our society responds to sexual abuse. Fellow protestor, 31-year old Jessie Loach, agrees. “I work with girls and women who’ve been in abusive situations. For me this goes beyond music and speaks to situations where women’s voices have been silenced. I don’t want my girls to look at this and see a situation where they are afraid to come forward because they see someone who has been shamed or forced to explain herself. I think we have a responsibility when someone’s voice has been silenced to come forward and be a voice for that person.”

Kate (she didn’t want to give her surname), 18, also sees the Kesha case as an indictment of how the music industry and society more generally treats survivors of sexual abuse. “I’m a huge feminist and this isn’t about Kesha any more. This is about basic human rights. If Kesha can overcome this, then a lot of people will come out with their stories of sexual abuse. Most sexual abuse goes unreported, and that’s wrong.”

Although Kesha remains locked in a legal impasse for now, unable to escape from her contract from Dr. Luke, yesterday’s protest sends a strong message to the singer and other survivors of sexual abuse. And that message is clear. That people out there do care – and will fight for you. As Kate explains, “everyone deserves justice. There’s no justification to rape.”

Dazed reached out to Sony for comment but did not receive a response.