Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside Ed Sheeran’s concert at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday night as the singer returned to the stage for the first time since Macklemore was dropped from his Loop Tour following his onstage remarks in support of Palestine.
For attendee Jodi Rhoden, an organizer at Writers Against the War in Gaza, the protest represents something “much bigger than us.” “It’s much bigger than Ed Sheeran. It’s much bigger than Macklemore. It’s a movement for Palestinian lives, and it’s not going to stop until Palestine is free.”
Rhoden also noted that while there are many people who have “lost their livelihoods for speaking the truth about this genocide,” she feels the “tide is turning”: “You can see that with the way that Ed Sheeran fans are reacting, and the way that people are rallying behind that for more. It seems like we’ve really hit a tipping point, and public opinion has changed.”
Grace, an 18-year-old college student, said it was important for her to attend the protest “because we have to continue talking about Palestine.” Going into the evening, she is hoping that Sheeran “acknowledges what he did was wrong and says he wants to free Palestine.”
The demonstration, which drew a crowd of around 100 participants, was planned for 4:30 p.m. outside the South Philadelphia stadium, ahead of Sheeran’s 8 p.m. performance. Organizers said speakers from Writers Against the War on Gaza, the Boycott Cooknsolo Coalition and Shut Down Day & Zimmermann were expected to participate. The Philly Palestine Coalition and Shut Down Day & Zimmermann had also circulated calls for supporters to demonstrate outside the venue.
The protest comes amid mounting fallout from Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s U.S. stadium tour. The rapper had opened Sheeran’s Sept. 4 and Sept. 5 concerts at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where he performed his 2024 pro-Palestinian protest song “Hind’s Hall,” displayed footage from Gaza and called for a “Free Palestine” from the stage.
Days later, tour promoter Messina Touring Group announced that Macklemore would no longer appear on the remaining dates. The promoter said several stadiums had indicated they would not permit concerts to proceed with Macklemore on the lineup and that keeping him on the bill could jeopardize the remainder of the tour.
Macklemore subsequently said New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft played a central role in the decision. Kraft’s company owns Gillette Stadium, where Sheeran is scheduled to perform Sept. 25 and 26, and Macklemore alleged that Kraft rallied other stadium owners behind an ultimatum that the rapper be removed.
Kraft acknowledged that he opposed Macklemore performing at Gillette Stadium, saying in a statement that his participation in the two concerts there “would cross that line.” Kraft argued that Macklemore’s presentation of the Israel-Hamas war ignored the actions of Hamas and contributed to divisiveness and hate. Macklemore has defended his advocacy for Palestinians and rejected accusations that it amounts to antisemitism.
Sheeran, meanwhile, has said the decision to drop Macklemore was made by the tour promoter and venues rather than by him. The singer said he had spoken with venue owners, promoters and activists in an effort to reach a resolution but was unable to do so.
The decision prompted a wider exodus from the Loop Tour. Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga — the Irish group that had been performing as part of Sheeran’s live band — all withdrew following Macklemore’s removal. Saturday’s Philadelphia show was consequently pushed from its originally advertised 5:30 p.m. start to 8 p.m., with Sheeran listed as the only act on the bill.
The controversy has also prompted a local debate over the decision to exclude Macklemore from the publicly owned stadium. The Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations sent an open letter to the Philadelphia Eagles, the City of Philadelphia, Lincoln Financial Group and others criticizing the move and raising questions about free expression and advocacy for Palestinian rights. The organization also filed a public-records request seeking information about who told Messina Touring Group that Macklemore could no longer perform at the venue.
Ahead of Saturday’s demonstration, Philadelphia police said they were coordinating with the venue and event organizers and would adjust staffing according to public-safety needs. A police spokesperson separately said officers had been in communication with Sheeran’s team over security arrangements for the concert.