TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - American rapper Macklemore announced he will donate his entire US$1 million net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six humanitarian organizations supporting Palestinian relief efforts.
The announcement follows the artist's removal from the tour after he made on-stage remarks supporting Palestine during a performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey earlier this month.
As reported by The Guardian, Macklemore challenged New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who refused to host the show at his Gillette Stadium unless the rapper was removed, to match his US$1 million contribution.
"With everything that has happened over the last 48 hours, I want to bring the conversation back to where it belongs: to the Palestinian people who are still being killed, still living under military occupation, and still fighting for their freedom," Macklemore wrote on Instagram.
"Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting. A Palestinian life is no less valuable than any other life on this earth," he added.
The rapper specified that the funds will go to six organizations: Palestine Children's Relief Fund, Heal Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, UNRWA USA National Committee, and American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera).
He emphasized that his focus remains on "the parents carrying their children into hospitals without the basic resources to treat them" and the medical workers and journalists on the ground.
Responding to the challenge, Kraft released a statement indicating that Sheeran had previously called him to request a matching US$2 million pledge for regional aid. "I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people. I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting," Kraft said.
He added that Sheeran plans to approach other venue operators to join the initiative. Kraft previously attributed Macklemore’s removal to past rhetoric that he stated was hurtful to the Jewish community.
The fallout from the decision escalated rapidly. Ed Sheeran issued a public statement clarifying that he maintains political neutrality on stage and that venue operators and promoters managed the touring lineup.
Following Macklemore's removal, all remaining opening acts, namely Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Beoga, and Lukas Graham, withdrew from the tour in solidarity with the rapper and the Palestinian cause.
Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick also commented on the situation during an appearance on the MeidasTouch podcast. He criticized venue owners for blocking artists over political expression and compared the scenario to his own departure from professional football.
Read: Ed Sheeran Tour in Turmoil as Support Acts Quit After Macklemore Exit
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