Macklemore is putting the spotlight back on the people of Palestine and pledging $1 million in earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to organisations providing humanitarian relief in Gaza.
In a statement on social media, the artist said:
“With everything that has happened over the last 48 hours, I want to bring the conversation back to where it belongs: to the Palestinian people who are still being killed, still living under military occupation, and still fighting for their freedom. I will be donating the entire $1 million of my net earnings form Ed Sheeran’s ‘Loop’ Tour to six organisations working directly to support the Palestinian people. And I invite Robert Kraft to match my donation. Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting. A Palestinian life is no less valuable than any other life on this earth.”
He continues his message, “This is what this has always been about. Not me. Not a tour. Not the headlines of the controversy. it is about Palestinians rights to freedom, dignity and safety in their own homeland. I want to centre the parents carrying their children into hospitals without the basic resources to treat them, and the physicians, paramedics, journalists and aid workers who keep going back in. I want to center the organisers and activists who have paid real costs for standing with Palestine. Their risk is of a far different order than mine.”
Macklemore goes on to share the story of 15-year-old Muhammad al Zinati who was killed in an Israeli strike while rushing to help aid worker, Sherif Lubbad: “Both should be alive.”
He highlights “the ones still under the rubble, whose names exist only in the memories of people who may not have survived to speak them,” and urges his fans to remember, “when the news cycle moves on, which it will, don’t move with it.”
His message comes following his removal from Ed Sheeran’s ‘tour following pressure by stadium owner Robert Kraft. Macklemore had called for a “Free Palestine” whilst opening two of Ed’s shows, and Kraft accused him of spreading “hate speech”. According to Macklemore, Ed was then pressured to drop him from the remainder of his tour. Here’s a snippet of what Macklemore said at those shows:
“I have an 11-year-old daughter. Her name is Sloan. She is here tonight. And if any of you guys are parents then you know that that love that you have for your kids cannot be put into words, right? And I want to see her grow up. I want to see her go to school, to fall in love, to figure out meaning, purpose, joy, her existence on this planet. I want it to be the most beautiful possible. And I think that every single human being that walks this earth deserves that exact same feeling.
To know safety and peace before they know the sound of violence. To know the sound of laughter on a playground before planes and bombs. For parents to be able to say bye to their children in the morning and not have to wonder if this is going to be the last time that they kiss their children goodbye….
To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters: Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you.
My message is for peace. Love. For all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality.
So I say free Palestine. I say free Lebanon. I say free Cuba. I say free Congo, free Sudan, free all people in America living in fear over this terrorist organisation ICE. No one will be free until we are all free.”
Some of the organisations Macklemore is donating to include the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF), Gaza Soup Kitchen, Anera.org and Medical Aid Palestine.
The PCRF has thanked the rapper for his support saying his contribution will help “continue providing critical medical care and humanitarian support to children and families at a time of immense need.”
(Feature Image Credit: Liv Herna/Shutterstock.com)
