Ed Sheeran’s Philadelphia concert was met by pro-Palestinian protests on Saturday night, as demonstrators gathered near Lincoln Financial Field before the British singer took to the stage.
A protester was filmed shouting: “F*** your concert, f*** your fans. Palestine is our demand.” Dozens of activists also reportedly chanted “Free Palestine” at a nearby subway station.
One demonstrator wore a red baseball cap bearing the words “Make Palestine Free Again”, while other placards read “Netanyahu has blood on his hands” and “Let Gaza live”.
The Philly Palestine Coalition and Shut Down D&Z had urged supporters to protest under the slogan: “Billionaires, Zionists & Warmongers out of Philly.”
The show was Sheeran’s first since rapper Macklemore was removed from the remainder of the singer’s LOOP Tour on Monday, after speaking about the Israel-Palestine conflict during performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The decision triggered withdrawals from several opening acts. Finneas, the brother and musical collaborator of Billie Eilish, said artists “must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed” as he pulled out of upcoming appearances.
Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Sheeran’s long-time backing folk band Beoga also withdrew from the tour. Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters criticised Sheeran on social media over Macklemore’s removal.
Actress Melissa Barrera, who was fired from the Scream franchise nearly three years ago after expressing a pro-Palestinian stance, said she had been moved by the openers’ decision to leave.
“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.
She added: “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. But it’s good to see that almost three years later, at least things have changed.”
Sheeran said on Instagram that removing Macklemore had not been his decision, but that of the promoter. He said he would not let down fans who had made plans or abandon the touring crew and other performers who depended on the work.
Macklemore later said Sheeran had told him that Robert Kraft, whose holding company owns Gillette Stadium, had helped rally other stadium owners behind an ultimatum that the rapper could not remain on the tour if Sheeran was to perform at their venues.
“Ed told me that Kraft said I would not be allowed to perform in his stadium,” Macklemore wrote. “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 said he hoped the dispute would not end his friendship with Sheeran, adding: “Thirteen years of friendship doesn’t disappear because of one painful disagreement.”
Ticket listings showed seats still available before the Philadelphia concert, with prices ranging from 51 to 234 dollars in the main seating areas and from 229 to 298 dollars for the pit in front of the stage.
