Weeks after rapper Macklemore was barred from opening for Ed Sheeran at Gillette Stadium following pro-Palestinian remarks, musician Zach Bryan wore a shirt that said “Free Palestine” during his concert at the venue. Bryan performed the first of two consecutive concerts at Gillette Stadium on Friday. On Saturday night, Bryan performed again, breaking the venue’s attendance record with 73,538 people in the crowd, according to venue officials. The full text on Bryan’s shirt read “Free Palestine” and “An appeal to heaven” alongside a pine tree logo, and several members of his band wore shirts featuring similar messages. According to a 2024 Associated Press report, “An appeal to heaven” is a phrase dating back to the Revolutionary War that remained on Massachusetts’ official maritime flag until 1971, originating from the belief that God would deliver colonists from tyranny. WBZ-TV reached out to Gillette Stadium for comment but has not yet received a response. Macklemore was previously dropped from Ed Sheeran’s “Loop” tour after shouting “Free Palestine” during a concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The rapper was scheduled to perform alongside Sheeran at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, but New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who also owns the venue, contacted Sheeran to state that Macklemore would not be allowed to perform. In a statement released following the incident, Kraft cited Macklemore’s recent actions, stage commentary in New Jersey, and a broader history of rhetoric and imagery that he deemed deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community, concluding that his participation would cross a line. Macklemore stated on Instagram that antisemitism is real, but argued that criticizing Israel and stating “Free Palestine” should not be conflated with hatred toward Jewish people. All other supporting acts for Sheeran’s tour subsequently dropped out in solidarity with Macklemore. Macklemore later pledged to donate $1 million to support Palestinians and called on Kraft to match the donation. Kraft responded in a statement noting he had already spoken with Sheeran about matching the pop star’s own $2 million donation pledge. Sheeran’s Gillette Stadium concerts, originally scheduled for September 25 and 26, were ultimately canceled due to a nor’easter striking the area that weekend.
Source: cbsnews.com
