Large crowds are expected to protest at Gillette Stadium this week for Ed Sheeran following Macklemore's exit.
Protestors showed up to Sheeran's Philly show over the weekend, and a larger protest is reportedly set for this weekend outside one of Sheeran's concerts at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough this week, according to TMZ.
The Massachusetts Peace Action is reportedly sponsoring a demonstration around the corner from Gillette before Sheeran's show on Saturday, September 26, at the stadium. That's his second show at the stadium this week, as he will be performing on Friday as well.
MAPA says the protest is âÂÂcentered around the fight against âÂÂbillionaire censorship' and âÂÂgenocide in Palestine.'âÂÂ
Macklemore was dropped from the show after his âÂÂFree Palestineâ speech at MetLife Stadoum earlier this month. His other openers Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Beoga, voluntarily backed out of the tour in solidarity with Macklemore and Palestine. Sheeran opened the Philly show speaking about the tour controversy.
âÂÂThis is not usually how I open a show, but before I play some songs tonight I hope itâÂÂs OK if I say a few words about this last week,â Sheeran began. âÂÂIâÂÂm used to my music being criticized, and IâÂÂm always happy to take that because IâÂÂm lucky a lot of you like my stuff⦠But this week the criticism was about something much more important. And IâÂÂve had to take and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes, and IâÂÂm so sorry.âÂÂ
Article Continues BelowHe added: âÂÂBut this put me in the middle of an important and passionate argument about freedom of speech and the most complex political issue on the planet.âÂÂ
Sheeran shared how he's concern on filtering artists' content seemingly referencing the Robert Kraft and Macklemore feud. The rapper challenged Kraft to match his $1 million donation to Palestinian relief organizations and the New England Patriots owner doubled the request.
âÂÂHonoring my commitment to my fans is completely central to who I am, and that is why IâÂÂm here tonight on my own and continuing my current tour,â Sheeran continued. âÂÂBut I am deeply worried about the idea of venues pre-approving content of performers. This happens in so many places I perform around the world, but it should never happen in the free world.âÂÂ
Sheeran concluded his statement to Philly fans, adding that âÂÂeveryone is welcomeâ at his concerts: âÂÂMy heart has been broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civiliansâ lives, of childrenâÂÂs lives, and the systemic justice weâÂÂre seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked.âÂÂ

