U.S. rapper Macklemore, a staunch voice for people of Palestine, was removed on Monday from the remaining dates of Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour after several venues allegedly objected to his participation.
Macklemore, who has repeatedly spoken out in support of Palestinians and called for a "free Palestine" during performances, had been scheduled to appear at eight of the 10 remaining shows on Sheeran’s U.S. leg of the Loop Tour.
Messina Touring Group, promoter of the U.S. tour, said in a statement to Rolling Stone that it had been notified by venues that they would not allow concerts featuring Macklemore, adding that his participation could have led to the cancellation of the tour and affected hundreds of thousands of fans.
"After discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore will not be performing on the remaining support dates," the promoter said.
The venues reportedly objecting to the rapper include Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
Sheeran’s tour is scheduled to resume this Friday in Philadelphia.
Macklemore has been an outspoken critic of Israel's war in Gaza, using his concerts and public appearances to express solidarity with Palestinians and condemn the conflict.
He voiced support for Palestinians during two opening performances for Sheeran at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, leading an Israeli-American organization to petition for his removal from the remaining tour dates.
Wearing a keffiyeh before a crowd of more than 80,000 people, Macklemore performed his pro-Palestinian song Hind's Hall as footage from Gaza and the occupied West Bank was displayed on screens around the stadium.
"I want those words to be loud and clear, so that people all the way in Gaza to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten about them," he told the audience at the concert.
In a long social media post on Monday, the rapper confirmed he was removed from the remainder of the U.S. tour of the British pop artist.
He recalled his long friendship with Sheeran and said he hoped "this is not the end of my relationship with Ed."
"We have careers, money, opportunities, safety and audiences around the world. Whatever consequences any of us face for what we say, we get to go home to our families," he wrote.
"The victims are the Palestinian people," he added.
"The men, women and children who have been killed, starved, displaced and forced to live through unimaginable violence," he noted as he further said that more than 20,000 children have been killed in Gaza alone.
