Ed Sheeran‘s return to the Loop Tour drew protesters to the City of Brotherly Love amid ongoing fallout.
After the 4x Grammy winner dropped Macklemore from his tour over pressure around the “Hind’s Hall” artist’s Palestinian onstage remarks, Sheeran’s Saturday stop at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field was met with pro-Palestine protesters.
“The fact of the matter is, now Palestine is associated with his concert, whether he wants it to be or not. He thinks that he is apolitical,” one protester told Freedom News. “Whether Ed Sheeran believes his music is apolitical, that decision is no longer in his hands.”
The protester continued, “Palestine is now associated with his concert, so he has to make a decision. Will he support the women, children, men and innocent people of Gaza who have been bombarded and killed by Israel?”
Outside the venue, protesters chanted, “Globalize the intifada. Fuck your concert, fuck your fans. Palestine is our demand. Free Palestine!”
NOW: "Fuck your concern Fuck your fans" and "Globalize the Intifada" chants outside Ed Sheeran concert in Philadelphia pic.twitter.com/VNmb7WpTM0
NOW: Protester explains why they are protesting Ed Sheeran concert in Philadelphia https://t.co/NvxHMnTMyG pic.twitter.com/BQnFVawRfp
On Monday, Sheeran dropped Macklemore from his tour amid an outcry around his “Free Palestine” onstage remarks. Opting to remain publicly neutral on the issue, Sheeran subsequently released a statement saying it was the “promoter’s decision” after Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft assembled several of the tour venues to give him an ultimatum.
Following the statement, fellow tour openers Finneas, Aaron Rowe and Lukas Graham dropped out of the tour, along with Sheeran’s backing band Beoga.
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