Philly Deploys Massive Police Force For Ed Sheeran Concert As Macklemore Protest Becomes Global Flashpoint
Originally published by AllHipHop Read the original
Macklemore turned Ed Sheeran’s stadium tour into a political battleground, and now Philadelphia is bracing for the fallout.
The rapper performed at MetLife Stadium on September 4th and 5th, shouting “Free Palestine” while displaying images of Gaza’s devastation, and the backlash came swiftly and relentlessly.
Pro-Israel groups launched petitions, Robert Kraft allegedly rallied stadium owners to pressure Sheeran into dropping him, and by mid-September Macklemore was officially off the tour.
But that’s when things escalated. Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, and Beoga all walked away in solidarity, refusing to perform without Macklemore on the remaining dates.
According to TMZ, Philadelphia police are deploying a “sizable” security force for Saturday’s concert because both pro-Palestine and pro-Israel demonstrators are expected to show up.
The plan includes metal detectors, pat-downs, and officers posted inside and outside Lincoln Financial Field.
The situation’s become a worldwide flashpoint for the Israel-Palestine conflict.
AOC and Roger Waters both spoke out supporting Macklemore’s right to speak, while a pro-Palestine group announced plans to protest the Philadelphia show. What started as an opening act’s political statement has transformed into something much bigger, forcing a major city to mobilize law enforcement just to keep the peace at a concert.
Macklemore’s activism has long been central to his artistry.