Ed Sheeran’s Philadelphia show drew pro-Palestinian protests on Saturday evening, shortly before the singer was due to perform.
The 35-year-old artist took the stage at Lincoln Financial Field for his first concert since Macklemore was removed from the remaining dates of the LOOP Tour earlier this week.
Video recorded by FreedomNews showed one protester shouting, “F*** your concert, f*** your fans. Palestine is our demand,” according to TMZ.
The outlet also reported that dozens of demonstrators gathered at a nearby subway station, where they repeatedly chanted, “Free Palestine.”
Another protester wore a red baseball cap modeled after the “Make America Great Again” style, but with “Make Palestine Free Again” printed across the front.
Ahead of the concert, the Philly Palestine Coalition and Shut Down D&Z shared a message online calling for “Billionaires, Zionists & Warmongers out of Philly.”
Our News Outlet has contacted representatives for Sheeran and requested a response.
Ed Sheeran’s Philadelphia concert faced protests on Saturday night as he prepared to perform; pictured in January
A protester shouted, “F*** your concert, f*** your fans. Palestine is our demand,” in footage recorded by FreedomNews
Among the messages displayed by demonstrators were two signs criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. They read, “Netanyahu has blood on his hands” and “Let Gaza live.”
The latest demonstration followed a wave of opening acts leaving Sheeran’s tour after Macklemore faced backlash for addressing the Israel-Palestine conflict during a recent performance.
Several performers who withdrew from the tour have since received public backing from actress Melissa Barrera.
Barrera, 36, was dismissed from the Scream franchise almost three years ago after expressing pro-Palestinian views. Since then, she has continued to speak about the evolving political climate in the entertainment industry.
She said she felt “emotional” watching artists step away from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore, who was dropped after making “free Palestine” remarks during his September 4 and 5 performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
“It was so beautiful to see Finneas and the band and all the opening acts pulling out in support of Macklemore. It made me emotional,” Barrera told the Associated Press this week.
“You know, I didn’t get that when it happened to me. I didn’t have any of that happen. It was too soon. People were too scared,” she continued. “But it’s good to see that almost three years later, at least things have changed.”
The controversy surrounding Macklemore’s political statements has also reportedly affected Sheeran’s tour at the box office, with ticket sales taking a hit.
A protester wore a red “Make Palestine Free Again” cap inspired by the “Make America Great Again” design
The 35-year-old singer’s Lincoln Financial Field concert marked his first show since Macklemore was removed from the rest of the LOOP Tour on Monday; pictured in 2013
A protester held signs accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of having “blood on his hands” and demanding, “Let Gaza live”
‘If this is your land, why do you destroy all life on it?’ asked one sign
In anticipation of the show, groups Philly Palestine Coalition and Shut Down D&Z wrote online, ‘Billionaires, Zionists & Warmongers out of Philly’
Demonstrators seen gathering outside stadium with video equipment and signs
Hours before showtime, hundreds of tickets were still available for purchase from $51 to $234 in the main seating levels, according to StubHub.
Scores of tickets remained up for grabs in the pit, located directly in front of the stage, from $229 to $298.
Following his onstage speech at MetLife Stadium, Macklemore shared on Instagram that Sheeran later told him that Robert Kraft – who owns Gillette Stadium through his holding company, the Kraft Group – called him.
‘Ed told me that Kraft said I would not be allowed to perform in his stadium. Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues,’ he wrote.
Macklemore admitted that his friend ‘was in a f***** up position. He knew it.’
The Can’t Hold Us rapper added: ‘I hope this isn’t the end of my relationship with Ed. Thirteen years of friendship doesn’t disappear because of one painful disagreement.’
Openers who dropped out of Sheeran’s tour have received support from actress Melissa Barrera; seen in June
Barrera, 36, was fired from the Scream franchise nearly three years ago for her pro-Palestinian stance
Finneas, who is the brother of singer Billie Eilish, was the highest profile opener to quit Sheeran’s tour amid the backlash
Finneas issued an Instagram statement, where he vowed to ‘stand with Palestine an its people’
Sheeran has faced criticism from other singers and musicians including Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters, who bashed him on social media for not taking a strong stand against the decision.
Billie Eilish’s brother, Finneas, pulled out of his scheduled appearances in upcoming tour dates, stating that ‘artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.’
Tour openers including Aaron Rowe and the band Lukas Graham, along with Sheeran’s long-time backing folk band Beoga, also withdrew from the endeavor.
On Tuesday, Sheeran released his own statement on Instagram, saying it wasn’t his decision to remove Macklemore from the tour, but rather the promoters’.
‘I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living,’ the British singer-songwriter added.
