Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gather outside Ed Sheeran concert in Philadelphia
Fans attending Ed Sheeran's show at Lincoln Financial Field encountered pro-Palestinian protesters waving flags and chanting slogans, a week after rapper Macklemore was removed from the tour.
Pro-Palestinian activists gathered outside Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Saturday, displaying Palestinian flags and chanting "Free Palestine" as Ed Sheeran prepared to perform. The demonstration came a week after rapper Macklemore was removed from Sheeran's Loop Tour following criticism of his own "Free Palestine" remarks at a previous concert.
Sheeran said the decision to drop Macklemore was made by the concert promoter and venue operators, not by him. In an Instagram statement, he described the Israel-Palestine conflict as a "human tragedy" affecting both sides.
Macklemore has alleged that Sheeran informed him that stadium owner Robert Kraft had urged other venue owners to oppose the rapper's participation, and that venues gave Sheeran an ultimatum that continuing with Macklemore would bar the tour from their facilities.