Robert Kraft Explains Removing Macklemore from Gillette Stadium Concerts
What led to Macklemore being removed from the Gillette Stadium dates?
Patriots owner Robert Kraft made a statement about the choice to keep Macklemore from performing with Ed Sheeran at Gillette Stadium on September 25 and September 26. Robert Kraft also reached out to venue managers and that caused Ed Sheeran to drop Macklemore from his tour list.
What reason did Robert Kraft give for the decision?
Robert Kraft said that Gillette Stadium is dedicated to keeping hate speech off its stage. He pointed to Macklemores comments made during Ed Sheeran shows at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey and also to a record of antisemitic words and pictures such as a 2014 costume display that Robert Kraft said were very hurtful to the Jewish community.
What remarks did Macklemore make on stage in New Jersey?
In shows at MetLife Stadium Macklemore spoke about wanting a free Palestine. He told the audience he hoped to use stadium stages across America to say "Free Palestine" so that people from Gaza to the occupied West Bank would hear that they are not forgotten.
How did Robert Kraft address advocacy in his statement?
Robert Kraft said that his choice was not meant to make innocent Palestinians feel pain or to stop people from speaking for them. He said that speaking for Palestinians should not hurt the community or ignore Hamas’s role. Robert Kraft pointed out that for ten years he has worked to fight antisemitism and he also mentioned his help for Palestinian chances and supplies.
How did Macklemore respond to being dropped from the tour?
Macklemore said that the problem was not what he says, which he has shared worldwide for three years but the big attention from playing in large U.S. Stadiums with a top artist. He said that the more people saw him the more he was seen as a danger and that led to people trying to shut him up.
Potential Direct Dialogue
Robert Kraft ended his note by saying he would like to meet with Macklemore to talk about this. He said that both of them want peace, for everyone and want to stop hate.
