Macklemore says US venues rejected his Free Palestine tour

American rapper Macklemore has claimed that major US concert venues, including New York's Madison Square Garden and the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, have rejected his Free Palestine tour. The rapper launched the effort after being removed as the opening act on Ed Sheeran's concert tour in August due to objections to him saying "Free Palestine" on stage.

Since then, nine US venues have declined to allow him to book available dates through the end of the year, according to Macklemore. The rapper, who played Free Palestine shows in Dublin, Paris, and London to raise funds for organizations supporting Palestinians, expressed disappointment and frustration, stating that he has never experienced anything like this in over 20 years of touring.

Macklemore emphasized that the issue lies with a handful of billionaires who can decide which causes are acceptable, which voices are welcome, and which human lives are worth defending, highlighting the contradiction between the country's pride in freedom of speech and the current situation.

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