Macklemore repeats "free Palestine" at Red Rocks, his first show since his removal
MacklemoreMusician and subject of the case, speaking from the stage at Red Rocks Amphitheatre
At his first concert since his removal from Ed Sheeran's U.S. tour, Macklemore repeated his call for a free Palestine, extended it to Sudan, Congo, Lebanon and Haiti, and spoke of people in the United States who fear ICE.
“I say free Palestine. I say free Sudan. I say free Congo. Lebanon. To Haiti. To all the people that are affected by ICE in America who are afraid to leave their houses”
Reporting
Reporting
Other statements by Macklemore in this case
- Macklemore says the "billionaire class" should not decide "which voices are allowed on stage"Earlier: Defended or excused
- Macklemore tells Dublin crowd the words "free Palestine" are "so threatening to some people"Later: Defended or excused
- Macklemore answers the peers who sought to stop his Wembley showLater: Defended or excused
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
Reporting
About this source
Newsweek report, based on online videos, of Macklemore's remarks from the stage at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado on October 22, 2026.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Reporting
About this source
Dutch public broadcaster NOS report on Macklemore's first concert since his removal from Ed Sheeran's tour, held in Colorado on October 22, 2026.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
NOS reports that Macklemore first told the Red Rocks crowd that being human in this moment is not difficult or political, and that it is human to watch others suffer and say it cannot go on.
After the quotation
Newsweek reports that he closed by telling the crowd the message would always be love, as a screen behind him displayed a tribute to Palestinians killed in the war.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The case concerns Macklemore's Free Palestine speech at Ed Sheeran's concerts and his removal from the remaining U.S. dates. At his next show he repeats the call that led to his removal and widens it to other crises, which defends the speech, so we used the same label as his Dublin remarks.
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More from this case
Read the full caseJack Antonoff says Ed Sheeran "missed a massive, beautiful opportunity" to cancel his tour
“They’re going to let some fucking promoter tell me what I can say? Don’t book me. I’ll play for free outside. [Ed Sheeran] missed a massive, beautiful opportunity there: just cancel the whole fucking tour, then play for free outside each venue, raise a bunch of money, rather than let a fucking billionaire tell you what to do.”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
Ari Emanuel criticizes Macklemore's MetLife speech in a Daily Show interview
“I don't think it was completely understanding the facts. And I think it was belittling to Jewish people, too.”Read statement
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- Macklemore repeats "free Palestine" at Red Rocks, his first show since his removal
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The Dispute Index. "Macklemore repeats "free Palestine" at Red Rocks, his first show since his removal". First published: 2026-10-28. Last updated: 2026-10-28. https://disputeindex.com/events/7128-at-his-first-concert-since-his-removal-from