BIIRD backs every word of Macklemore’s MetLife speech
BIIRDBritish folk-pop group and former Ed Sheeran tour support act
BIIRD said it stood unequivocally behind every word Macklemore said in his MetLife Stadium speech.
“We stand unequivocally behind every word he said.”
Original post
Where this statement fits
Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” speech and removal from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour
At two Ed Sheeran concerts at MetLife Stadium, Macklemore called for a free Palestine, accused Israel of apartheid and genocide, and said criticism of Israel was not criticism of Jewish people. After venue objections, tour promoter Messina Touring Group said he would not perform the remaining U.S. Loop Tour dates. Critics characterized the performance as hostile or inappropriate; Macklemore defended it as a call for equal treatment.
Source and context
Original post
About this source
Original Instagram post by BIIRD stating support for Macklemore’s MetLife Stadium speech.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
BIIRD identified its final tour performance as the MetLife Stadium show where it witnessed Macklemore’s speech.
After the quotation
The post expressed support for the speech; it did not describe a withdrawal from tour dates already completed.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
BIIRD directly endorses the content of the speech at issue.
- Recorded on
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- People and groups discussed
- Macklemore
More from this case
Read the full caseMacklemore says the "billionaire class" should not decide "which voices are allowed on stage"
“What happened to me is bigger than one artist or one stage. When the billionaire class can decide which voices are allowed on stage and which ones are too dangerous to hear, everyone should be paying attention. So we're going on tour. All proceeds will benefit organizations supporting the Palestinian people and movement.”Read statement
Jewish Voice for Peace says the backlash to Macklemore's removal shows support for pro-Palestine speech
Jewish Voice for Peace
“Two years into Trump’s crackdown on pro-Palestine organizing, the backlash against Sheeran shows how little patience Americans have for attacks on pro-Palestine speech. It also demonstrates the shift toward support for Palestinian rights among everyday Americans that our movements have helped propel.”Read statement
Macklemore announces "Free Palestine Tour" after removal from U.S. dates
“To push back when the call for a Free Palestine is met with attempts to silence it.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "BIIRD backs every word of Macklemore’s MetLife speech". First published: 2026-09-19. Last updated: 2026-09-19. https://disputeindex.com/events/1112-biird-said-it-stood-unequivocally-behind-every-word