Kraft pressures Sheeran to drop Macklemore

Robert Kraft, Patriots owner, allegedly pressured Ed Sheeran to remove Macklemore from his tour after the rapper voiced support for Palestinians.

Four opening acts quit in solidarity

All remaining opening acts, including Finneas, withdrew from the tour by Tuesday. Finneas wrote that artists must not be silenced when speaking for the oppressed.

“Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.”

Stadium owners issue an ultimatum

Kraft rallied other NFL stadium owners to give Sheeran an ultimatum: drop Macklemore or lose access to their venues for scheduled shows.

“Collectively they gave [Sheeran] an ultimatum: If Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.”

Macklemore performed pro-Palestine song

At two New Jersey shows, Macklemore performed "Hind's Hall," his 2024 song supporting Gaza ceasefire protests and honoring a five-year-old killed by the IDF.

“Free Palestine. I want to say those words loud and clear so the people of Gaza all the way to the West Bank know that we have not forgotten them.”

Corporate censorship of political speech

These publicly owned but corporate-branded venues have become tools for censorship. Kanye West, with his antisemitic history, faces no such blacklisting.

AOC calls out the elite's power

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said a handful of stadium owners can prevent discussion of massive issues like the genocide in Gaza.

Macklemore donates tour earnings to Gaza

The rapper pledged his $1 million in net tour earnings to six organizations supporting Palestinians. He invited Kraft to match his donation.

“Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting.”