Macklemore says he will donate the entire $1 million in net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to organisations supporting Palestinians.
The rapper also challenged New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to match his donation, days after Macklemore was removed from Sheeran’s tour.
Macklemore was dropped from the tour after saying “free Palestine” and delivering a political speech at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey earlier this month.
He later appeared to blame Kraft, claiming the billionaire had encouraged other stadium owners to prevent him from performing at their venues. A representative for Kraft declined to comment on Macklemore’s latest request.
In a statement shared on social media on Wednesday, Macklemore said his donation would go to six organisations: the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, Heal Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, the UNRWA USA National Committee and Anera.
“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,” he wrote.
“I will be donating the entire $1 million of my net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six organizations working directly to support the Palestinian people. And I invite Robert Kraft to match my donation.”
Macklemore added: “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 said he wanted attention focused on Palestinian families, medical workers, journalists, aid workers and activists.
“I want to center the parents carrying their children into hospitals without the basic resources to treat them, and the physicians, paramedics, journalists and aid workers who keep going back in,” he wrote.
“I want to center the organisers and activists who have paid real costs for standing with Palestine. Their risk is of a far different order than mine.”
Macklemore also called for an end to what he described as decades of Palestinians living without basic rights. “Palestinians have lived for decades without basic rights and should not have to wait another day to be free.”
“That is where my focus will remain. I will continue to stand with the Palestinian people and their fight for liberation. When the news cycle moves on, which it will, don’t move with it. Free Palestine.”
The donation announcement follows a difficult week for Sheeran, who said on Tuesday that he had no role in Macklemore’s removal from the tour.
Sheeran also said he preferred to remain neutral on political causes.
Soon after, the other supporting acts on the Loop Tour Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Beoga announced that they would leave the tour in solidarity with Macklemore and Palestinians.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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