Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Pro-Palestinian Protesters Expand Boycott Call Across Ed Sheeran’s World Tour
Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside Ed Sheeran’s concert in Philadelphia.
They were upset that Macklemore was removed from the tour after speaking in support of Palestine.
Macklemore had performed a song about Gaza and called for a free Palestine.
Sheeran said he was not involved in the decision and blamed the tour promoters.
Some venue representatives said Macklemore’s performance hurt and offended Jewish people.
Protest organizers said the demonstration was part of a larger movement for Palestinian rights.
A boycott group asked people not to attend Sheeran’s whole world tour.
The concert still went ahead, while protesters said they planned to keep pushing for their cause.
Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field before Ed Sheeran’s concert.
The demonstration followed Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s tour after his pro-Palestinian performance.
Organizers said the protest was about Palestinian lives and would continue until Palestine is free.
The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel urged a boycott of Sheeran’s entire world tour.
Sheeran denied involvement in Macklemore’s removal, while venue representatives called Macklemore’s performance offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community.
- Who
- Pro-Palestinian protesters, Ed Sheeran, Macklemore, tour promoters and venue representatives.
- What
- A protest took place outside Sheeran’s Philadelphia concert, while a boycott campaign expanded to his entire world tour.
- When
- Saturday evening before Sheeran’s 8 p.m. concert; Macklemore’s removal was announced earlier that week.
- Where
- Outside Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, near Broad and Pattison streets and the SEPTA station.
- Why
- Protesters opposed Macklemore’s removal after his pro-Palestinian remarks and sought greater attention to Palestinian suffering.
Protesters and Macklemore Supporters
Venue and Tour Representatives
Meaning of Macklemore’s performance
Protesters and Macklemore Supporters
Protesters said Macklemore’s removal was censorship and argued that Palestinian lives and the deaths of Palestinian children deserved attention.
Venue and Tour Representatives
Gillette Stadium said the performance was deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community, while venue owners reportedly objected to his remarks.
Responsibility for the removal
Protesters and Macklemore Supporters
Supporters treated the removal as evidence that pro-Palestinian speech was being suppressed and called for a broader boycott of Sheeran’s tour.
Venue and Tour Representatives
Sheeran denied involvement and blamed tour promoters for the decision; the promoter announced Macklemore would not return for the remaining dates.
Role of the concert venue
Protesters and Macklemore Supporters
The Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said the publicly owned stadium raised questions about how taxpayer-supported property was being used.
Venue and Tour Representatives
Venue representatives said their goal was to provide a welcoming environment for all guests.
- Protest location
- Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- Reported crowd size
- About 50 to 100 people, with outlets giving different estimates
- Concert time
- 8 p.m. Saturday
- Macklemore’s performance
- He performed “Hind’s Hall,” showed footage from Gaza and called for a “Free Palestine.”
- Tour decision
- Messina Touring Group announced that Macklemore would not appear on the remaining dates.
- Boycott expansion
- The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel called for a boycott of Sheeran’s entire world tour.
- Scheduled support acts
- Four supporting acts reportedly walked out after Macklemore’s removal, including Finneas.