Pro-Palestinian demonstrators are expected to gather in Philadelphia on Saturday ahead of Ed Sheeran's first concert since US rapper Macklemore was removed from the tour for making pro-Palestinian remarks on stage. Local groups have planned a rally near the venue, prompting police to announce an "appropriate presence" to ensure safety.

The controversy erupted earlier this month when Macklemore, during a performance in New Jersey, declared: "Free Palestine." The comment drew fierce criticism from Israel supporters in the US and led to his removal from Sheeran's US Loop Tour. Sheeran has denied responsibility for the decision, stating that the promoter made the call.

The removal sparked a backlash: Irish folk band Beoga, Sheeran's backing act, quit the tour, saying it "fully supported" Macklemore's message. Sheeran, in a statement on Tuesday, expressed his anguish over the conflict but insisted his shows are not a political forum. He also claimed that American billionaire Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium, was among those demanding Macklemore's removal.

Kraft, in a statement on Monday, said the decision resulted from Macklemore's recent comments and a "broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery." The episode has highlighted deep divisions over the Israel-Palestine conflict, with Sheeran facing criticism for not taking a clear stance.

Sheeran's tour, which began in Auckland in January, is set to conclude in Mexico City in December, with shows scheduled across North and South America. The Philadelphia concert will proceed under heightened security as protests unfold nearby.

Source: www.dw.com