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Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside Ed Sheeran’s Philadelphia concert following the removal of Macklemore from the singer’s tour over his public comments supporting Palestinians.
Mariyam Adheela
Protesters rally outside Ed Sheeran concert after Macklemore controversy -- Photo: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Dozens of Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Saturday ahead of Ed Sheeran’s concert, following controversy over rapper Macklemore’s removal from the tour.
Protesters carrying Palestinian flags and signs gathered near the stadium and chanted in support of Palestine, according to local reports.
The demonstration came after Macklemore was removed from Sheeran’s remaining tour dates following Pro-Palestinian remarks he made while performing at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium earlier this month.
Sheeran has said the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the tour promoter after venues raised concerns, rather than by Sheeran himself.
Several artists associated with the tour subsequently withdrew, including Finneas, Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe, while Sheeran’s backing band Beoga also announced its departure.
The controversy also prompted the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel to call for a boycott of Sheeran’s wider tour.
Sheeran performed in Philadelphia on Saturday without a scheduled opening act and addressed the controversy from the stage, saying the situation in Gaza was “catastrophic and unjustifiable” and expressing concern over civilian deaths and events in the West Bank.
