Ed Sheeran addresses Macklemore controversy in pre-concert speech
Singer Ed Sheeran gave a speech to the crowd before his concert in Philadelphia on Saturday night about the controversy he found himself embroiled in with Macklemore.
TL;DR
- Ed Sheeran spoke to concertgoers in Philadelphia about the controversy involving Macklemore's removal from his tour.
- Macklemore was removed from the tour dates after comments about letting people in the 'occupied West Bank' know they were not forgotten, which drew backlash from Jewish groups.
- Sheeran stated he attempted to intervene with venue owners but the decision was final.
- Sheeran expressed his personal views on the conflict, calling it a humanitarian issue and stating what happened in Israel on Oct. 7 was horrific, while what is happening in Gaza is catastrophic.
- Macklemore responded on social media, stating his pro-Palestinian opinions were conflated with hatred of Jewish people and that there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed.
- Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the venue before the concert.