Protest held in Philadelphia ahead of Ed Sheeran concert — Asharq Al-Awsat
In Philadelphia, United States, several dozen pro-Palestinian protesters gathered near a subway station close to Lincoln Financial Field stadium, where British singer Ed Sheeran was scheduled to perform that evening. Participants waved Palestinian flags and chanted “Free Palestine.” Police officers in about a dozen patrol cars monitored the peaceful gathering from a distance, Asharq Al-Awsat reports.
Dispute over the tour
The Philadelphia concert was to be Sheeran’s first performance after a dispute surrounding the U.S. leg of his Loop Tour. According to the publication, rapper Macklemore was removed from the tour on Monday after owners of stadiums where the next concerts were planned objected to the “Free Palestine” chant during his performance in New Jersey earlier this month.
Sheeran said he did not make the decision to remove Macklemore and placed responsibility on the tour promoter. After that, four participants left the tour, including Sheeran’s backing band and performer Finneas, known for collaborating with his sister Billie Eilish. In public statements, they explained their departure as support for Palestinians.
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Calls to boycott concerts
Critics accused Sheeran of failing to stand up to stadium owners and called for a boycott of his concerts. In an Instagram post, the artist said he has his own position on the devastating conflict but does not want to turn his performances into a political platform.
The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) on September 19 called on artists, audiences and concert crew members not to attend Sheeran’s entire world tour, including upcoming performances in Latin America and a European leg that has not yet been announced.
No new opening acts or accompanying musicians for the Philadelphia concert were announced. According to TicketData, the minimum price of tickets on the secondary market fell from $123 on Monday to $48 on Saturday evening.
