Macklemore announced the “Free Palestine Tour” on Thursday, with shows in Dublin, Paris and London set for October. It comes after the rapper was dropped from Ed Sheeran’s tour after making pro-Palestinian comments during an opening set.
“I’ve spent the last week reaching out to artists who have shown up and used their stages to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, regardless of the consequences,” Macklemore said in a statement shared on social media. “Artists who understand that our platforms mean very little if we’re only willing to use them when it’s safe.”
In the statement, Macklemore said that information about additional artists and concert dates in the United States would follow. His removal from Sheeran’s tour led to a public outcry against the singer-songwriter, and the remaining opening acts quit in solidarity. On Saturday, Sheeran’s tour resumed with a new band and no opener.
Proceeds from the “Free Palestine Tour” will benefit a dozen different organizations “supporting the Palestinian people and movement,” according to Macklemore’s post, including Gaza Soup Kitchen, Middle East Children’s Alliance, Jewish Voice for Peace, Medical Aid for Palestinians, Palestine Children’s Relief Fund and UNRWA USA.
Stadium owner Robert Kraft, who led the internal charge to drop Macklemore, said last week that he and Sheeran were donating $2 million each “to fight this humanitarian crisis,” without clarifying the recipients of the money.
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The post Macklemore announces ‘Free Palestine’ tour after Ed Sheeran dismissal appeared first on Washington Post.
