Ms. Rachel, Kehlani, MUNA & More Push Back After Macklemore’s Removal From Ed Sheeran Tour: ‘We All Need to Speak On It’

A collection of artists and public figures are speaking out after Macklemore ‘s removal from Ed Sheeran ‘s U.S. tour.

Following the rapper revealing Monday (Sept.

14) that he had been dropped from the remainder of Sheeran’s Loop Tour following his repeated onstage calls to “Free Palestine,” a number of people have rallied behind him.

Related Robert Kraft Calls Macklemore’s ‘Free Palestine’ Statements ‘Deeply Offensive’: ‘A Line Had Been Crossed’ Macklemore Reacts to Being Dropped From Ed Sheeran Tour Over ‘Painful Disagreement’ of His ‘Free Palestine’ Chant Macklemore Dropped From Ed Sheeran Tour Over His ‘Free Palestine’ Comments The controversy began after Macklemore used his opening set at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium earlier this month to call for the liberation of Palestine, telling the crowd that he wanted the words “Free Palestine” to reach people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

His comments prompted backlash and a petition calling for him to be removed from the tour.

On Monday, Messina Touring Group, the promoter of Sheeran’s U.S.

Loop Tour, confirmed that venues on upcoming dates would not allow concerts to proceed with Macklemore on the lineup, saying that keeping him on the bill could result in cancellations affecting hundreds of thousands of fans.

Macklemore subsequently shared his own account of what led to the decision, alleging that Robert Kraft had pressured Sheeran over his participation and that other stadium owners joined in the ultimatum.

For Macklemore, however, the controversy isn’t about losing a handful of opening spots on a tour.

In his Instagram statement, he argued that the attention should remain on Palestinians living through the war in Gaza and the West Bank.” “I am not a victim.

Ed Sheeran is not a victim,” he wrote.

“The victims are the Palestinian people.” That message quickly found its echoes throughout the music business and beyond.

Ms.

Rachel, the children’s educator and YouTube star known for her preschool programming, shared an Instagram post addressed to Sheeran, arguing that the singer had an opportunity to stand against the punishment of artists for expressing support for Palestinians.