Philadelphia mayor posts picture of Rapinoe atop City Hall: ‘Equal pay now!’
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney (D) on Friday shared a photo of U.S. women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe photoshopped on top of city hall, using the moment to call for equal pay for female players.
“Love this, and love this team,” Kenny wrote in the caption of the photo, which was originally posted by the One Liberty Observation Deck’s Instagram account. “And by the way, equal pay now!”
Dozens of users commented on the photo, with some applauding the mayor and others decrying the move.
“God I love my city,” one user wrote.
“You should be ashamed of yourself,” wrote another.
Kenney joins a list of politicians and other figures calling for the U.S. Women’s national team, which has won four World Cup titles, to receive equal pay compared to their male counterparts.
Former Vice President Joe Biden (D), New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D), New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (D) have all spoken out in favor of equal pay. During the U.S. Women’s National Team parade on Wednesday, Cuomo signed legislation aimed at eliminating the gender age gap.
A recent poll found that 73 percent of Americans say the women’s national soccer team should receive equal pay.
The players on the women’s national team have been vocal advocates of equal pay. In March, all 28 players filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation, accusing it of “institutionalized gender discrimination” including inequity in pay, practice time, practice locations, medical treatment, coaching and travel.
Rapinoe has been an outspoken critic of the Trump administration and recently drew attention for saying that she wouldn’t visit the White House. Critics have also denounced her decision to protest during the national anthem.
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