Details on Ed Sheeran tour as all acts quit after Macklemore dropped for pro-Palestine comments
Ed Sheeran is facing intense public backlash after rapper Macklemore, who was set to open his upcoming tour dates, was dropped from the production over pro-Palestine comments. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul reports and Alex Suskind, news director at online music magazine Pitchfork, joins "The Daily Report" to discuss.
Stadium magnate Robert Kraft and singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran have pledged to contribute a combined $2 million ($2.8 million) for aid in Gaza, following rapper Macklemore's appeal to donate his earnings from recent tour performances to Palestinian charities. Macklemore revealed that he will donate $1 million ($1.4 million) from his earnings during the two shows he played on the Loop tour, intended to refocus attention on the Palestinian people suffering from military occupation and fighting for their freedom.
Upon hearing Macklemore's pledge, Kraft, who owns Gillette Stadium, immediately decided to match the donation, doubling the initial $2 million commitment after Sheeran's encouragement. The funds will be allocated to several Palestinian aid organizations, including the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund, Heal Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid Palestine, UNRWA, and Anera.
Sheeran plans to approach other venue owners to match donations and work towards fostering greater understanding between Israelis and Palestinians. The billionaire owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, who has dedicated over $1 billion to philanthropic causes, emphasized that Palestinian lives are no less valuable than any other life on Earth.
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- Acts abandon Ed Sheeran tour after Macklemore barred over ‘Free Palestine’ comments egyptindependent.com
- Macklemore, Ed Sheeran ask Robert Kraft to donate to Palestinian humanitarian aid thehill.com
- Ed Sheeran's supporting acts quit US tour after Macklemore dropped over pro-Palestine comments jpost.com
- Ed Sheeran speaks out on dropping Macklemore from tour, says it was promoters' decision cbsnews.com
- Ed Sheeran, Robert Kraft donate millions for Gaza aid after Macklemore's urging abc.net.au
- Which artists have pulled out of Ed Sheeran’s tour over Palestine? aljazeera.com
- Artists exit Sheeran tour in solidarity with Macklemore pro-Palestinian comments thejakartapost.com
- Ed Sheeran asked me to donate $2m in aid, Robert Kraft says after Macklemore backlash bbc.co.uk