American rapper Macklemore announced a “Free Palestine” concert tour starting next month after being dropped as the opening act for Ed Sheeran due to his pro-Palestinian comments. The tour will kick off in Dublin, Paris, and London, with more US dates and performers to be announced. Proceeds from the concerts will support organizations that aid the Palestinian people. Macklemore emphasized the importance of artists using their platforms for advocacy, stating that being apolitical during crises is no longer acceptable.
He was removed from performing at Sheeran’s shows after making remarks in New Jersey. Macklemore expressed that he wanted to advocate for Palestinian rights during his performances, but stadium owners objected to his statements. Israeli officials denied allegations of genocide, claiming their actions are self-defense. Ed Sheeran clarified that the decision to remove Macklemore was made by tour organizers, not him, and he apologized for how the situation was handled.
Macklemore has been vocal about Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank and believes there has been a shift in public awareness regarding Palestinian liberation. He stated that the issue is bigger than one artist and cautioned against the influence of wealthy individuals in controlling which voices are heard.
With information from Reuters
