An unexpected clash emerged Monday between Patriots owner Robert Kraft and Macklemore.
It started when Macklemore said it was dropped out of Ed Sheeran’s current tour. Via Jon Blistein of Rolling StoneMacklemore claimed that “Kraft had gathered some of the other stadium owners and together they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on tour, you will not be allowed to play our venues.”
In a statement, Kraft later confirmed that Macklemore would not be allowed to perform at Gillette Stadium, which Kraft owns. He explained that the country “has a longstanding commitment to provide a welcoming environment for all guests and to ensure that events held in our country do not provide a platform for hate speech.”
Kraft based the decision on “recent actions, material distributed from the stage during Ed Sheeran’s New Jersey shows and a broader history of anti-Semitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community.”
During his September 4th and 5th shows at MetLife Stadium, Macklemore shouted “Free Palestine” on stage and he performed a song (Hall of Hind) which in part describes Israel’s action in Gaza as “genocide”.
As Blistein notes, Kraft’s statement did not address Macklemore’s claim that Kraft “rounded up” other owners to insist that Macklemore be removed from Sheeran’s tour.
“I would welcome the opportunity to sit down with Macklemore and discuss the facts, because at the end of the day our goal is the same – peace for all people, an end to suffering and an end to all hatred,” Kraft said.
Discussion would be good. We currently do not have enough when it comes to the political issues that continue to divide the nation. However, there is a difference between having a disagreement and being irreconcilable. As for Macklemore, Kraft concluded that “a line has been crossed.”