As someone deeply touched by the music of Linkin Park, particularly by the emotionally rich expressions of the late Chester Bennington, this issue is personal to me. I connect with Chester because I too am a survivor of sexual assault. When I listened to Hybrid Theory, the first album I bought with my own money, I felt a deep connection with Chester. I felt like somebody else understood how I felt, and I was not alone.

Chester was an irreplaceable musician and person. Given his history of being sexually abused as a child and the resulting struggles he endured with his mental health, the decision to replace him with Emily Armstrong, a woman with direct ties to convicted rapist Danny Masterson, is highly disrespectful. This goes beyond the bounds of integrity and respect for Chester's legacy, and deeply offends not only me, but also fellow survivors of sexual assault who found comfort and solace in Chester’s music. This decision can be construed as a disregard for the trauma that Chester, like many others, underwent and can set a harmful precedent in the industry, disrespecting the struggle he and countless others have faced.

Linkin Park's choice of replacement should respect and honor Chester's memory and the issues he wrestled with. Let's urge them not to undermine Chester's legacy and the millions of sexual assault survivors who found a refuge in his music. Please sign this petition and let the remaining members of Linkin Park understand the full implications of their decision.

They should also rebrand. They are not Linkin Park without Chester Bennington. Chester Bennington is irreplaceable. They have let him and their fans down.

Th