While Americans argue about Russian collusion, there's another form of conspiracy that is making ripples around the nation. Colin Kaepernick filed a collusion grievance against the NFL last year, and several celebrities have gotten behind his movement. Rihanna infamously turned down a performance on the nation's biggest stage in support of Kaepernick, and others have done the same. Maroon 5 may not be a hip-hop group, but Kaepernick's stance has nothing to do with what genre of music you make or listen to. That's why thousands of people have signed a petition demanding that the group steps down from their scheduled Super Bowl performance.
The Change.org petition has gathered nearly 40,000 signatures. "Rihanna is not the first major artist to turn down the Super Bowl halftime show," reads the petition's mission statement. "Jay-Z turned down a request to perform at the 2017 Super Bowl, and even addressed it in his 2018 song 'Apesh*t.' The lyrics say, 'I said no to the Super Bowl: you need me, I don't need you. Every night we in the endzone, tell the NFL we in stadiums too,' while the music video shows a line of men on one knee. Comedian Amy Schumer has also weighed in, praising Rihanna and encouraging Maroon 5 to follow her lead and step down." It's doubtful that Maroon 5 backs out, and it may be more monumental if they follow Jermaine Dupri's advice and make a statement themselves.