After Macklemore was removed from the tour, four supporting acts pulled out in solidarity with him. Sheeran wrote on Instagram that the rapper’s removal was “the promoter’s decision, it was not mine.”
“I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living,” he wrote.
Kraft, the owner of New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium who had Sheeran play at his wedding in 2022, has prioritized eliminating hate speech through his Foundation to Combat Antisemitism.
“Much of my time and attention for the last decade has been focused on the fight against antisemitism and hate of all kinds, and I feel a responsibility to stand up when I believe that line has been crossed,” Kraft said in a statement about Macklemore’s removal.
He said Gillette is committed to ensuring events “do not provide a platform for hate speech.”
Kraft also referenced “a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery,” appearing to allude to an incident in 2014 when Macklemore wore a costume onstage that critics said resembled a caricature of a Jewish man. Macklemore later apologized and said it was never his intention to cause offense.
The Seattle-bred rapper has also recently announced that he’s launching a “Free Palestine” tour later this fall that will include stops in Dublin, Paris, and London, with all proceeds benefitting “organizations supporting the Palestinian people and movement.”
Globe correspondent Victoria Wasylak contributed to this report. This story will be updated.
Travis Andersen can be reached at travis.andersen@globe.com.