Macklemore backs Palestine at concert, calling it a humanitarian issue

US rapper Macklemore called for a free Palestine at his first concert after being removed from Ed Sheeran’s tour over pro-Palestinian remarks, saying the issue was humanitarian rather than political.

US rapper Macklemore called for a free Palestine during a concert at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. The concert was his first after he was removed from the opening performances of Ed Sheeran’s North American tour over his pro-Palestinian remarks.

“This is not political; it is a humanitarian issue,” Macklemore said onstage. “Seeing other people suffer and saying enough is enough—that is humanity.” The artist also chanted, “Free Palestine! Free Sudan! Free Congo!” and mentioned Lebanon and Haiti. He addressed people in the United States who cannot leave their homes because they fear immigration authorities and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, ICE, before concluding: “Our message will always be love.”

He was removed from Sheeran’s tour

While opening Sheeran’s concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in September, Macklemore said “Free Palestine” and performed his 2024 song “Hind’s Hall,” which he dedicated to six-year-old Hind Rajab, who was killed in an Israeli attack in Gaza.

The artist later announced that he had been removed from the remaining North American concerts on the tour after some stadium owners objected. Artists including Finneas and Lukas Graham also withdrew from the tour in solidarity. Sheeran said the decision had been made by the organizer, not by him.

Proceeds will be donated to Palestine

Hamilton Hall at Columbia University, which students called "Hind's Hall" (archive)

Macklemore pledged to donate the $1 million in proceeds from Sheeran’s tour to organizations supporting Palestinians. The “Free Palestine Tour,” whose proceeds will go toward work supporting Palestine, will continue in Dublin on October 26, Paris on October 29 and London on October 30.

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