A billionaire stadium owner caught in controversy for threatening to cancel Ed Sheeran’s concerts unless opening act Macklemore was dropped has claimed the British star asked him to match a $2 million donation to the region.
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star → catch → region
Macklemore was dropped from Sheeran's tour after he delivered a politically motivated speech in support of Palestine during his performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4 and 5.
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he → drop → September
Responding with an Instagram statement after it was confirmed he was leaving, the rapper claimed Sheeran told him that stadium owner Robert Kraft orchestrated the move, 'issuing an ultimatum' that the whole tour would be cancelled if Macklemore was not removed.
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Macklemore → respond → ultimatum
Kraft, the chief executive of the Kraft Group, which owns Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, yesterday issued his own statement on the controversy.
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which → own → controversy
'I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people.
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I → dedicate → people
I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting,' the statement posted on Gillette Stadium's account read.
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statement → believe → account
'Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, Ed called me and asked me to commit $2 million to match his donation to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis.
'
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Ed → challenge → crisis
In addition, I'd like the people who are speaking in support of the Palestinian people to know that for decades, I have supported efforts that create opportunities for Palestinians and have brought young Palestinians and Israelis together to build businesses, create jobs and forge relationships.'
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that → like → relationships
Responding with an Instagram statement after it was confirmed he was leaving, the rapper claimed Sheeran told him that stadium owner Robert Kraft (pictured) orchestrated the move
Kraft, the chief executive of the Kraft Group, which owns Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts , yesterday issued his own statement on the controversy
Macklemore (R) was dropped from Sheeran's (L) tour after he delivered a politically motivated speech in support of Palestine
It is currently unknown which specific organisation the donations are meant for.
Sheeran also previously commented on the situation, reminding fans he would never publicly take a political stance.
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he → respond → stance
Writing on Instagram, he said: 'I am not complicit.
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I → write → Instagram
I have my personal views on this devastating conflict.
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I → have → conflict
Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn't mean I don't have them, and it doesn't mean I don't care.
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I → choose → them
'There is a reason I do not use my professional platform for politics - my audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds.
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audience → be → backgrounds
Those who come to my shows do not expect a political forum.'
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who → come → forum
He added that although he respects Macklemore's 'strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes', there are different approaches to advocating for peace.
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he → add → peace
It comes as images have resurfaced showing Macklemore wearing an oversized prosthetic nose, a black beard and a shaggy black wig during a 2014 performance in Seattle.
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Macklemore → come → Seattle
The costume was criticised for resembling an anti-Semitic caricature of a Jewish man.
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costume → criticise → man
Macklemore apologised at the time, saying he had no malicious intention and was unaware that the costume resembled a Jewish stereotype.
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costume → apologise → stereotype
People have accused Macklemore's pro-Palestinian activism of being part of something more sinister, pointing to his controversial costume and a circulating image that appears to show him making a Nazi salute while dressed in it.
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him → accuse → it
He has not replied to the claims made about the image, and many online say it was a photo taken mid-dance that has been misconstrued.
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that → reply → image
Meanwhile, Greta Thunberg, a staunch pro-Palestine activist who was detained twice after travelling on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, has publicly backed Sheeran's 'cancellation', criticising him in a statement shared online.
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who → detain → statement
Taking to her Instagram on Tuesday, Thunberg said: 'We are witnessing one of the biggest artists in the world being cancelled because they tried to "both sides" Israel's genocide against the Palestinian people.
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they → take → people
This is a clear and undeniable sign that the global consciousness has shifted.
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consciousness → shift → ?
The normalisation of an apartheid state, and the attempts to sanitise or justify its actions, will no longer be tolerated.
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normalisation → sanitise → actions
And on Thursday morning, Irish radio station Classic Hits Radio announced it would be removing Sheeran's music from its playlist 'for the foreseeable future'.
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it → announce → future
Dave Kelly, Group Programme Director at Bay Broadcasting, said the move had been 'carefully considered' and was 'not intended as a personal judgement on Ed Sheeran'.
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move → say → Sheeran
He said: 'We acknowledge his own explanation of the circumstances surrounding recent events.
'
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We → say → events
As an independent Irish-owned radio station, however, we believe it is important to listen to our audience and to stand alongside Irish artists who have made what is undoubtedly a significant professional decision based on their own convictions.
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what → own → convictions
People have accused Macklemore's pro-Palestinian activism of being part of something more sinister, pointing to his controversial costume
Greta Thunberg, a staunch pro-Palestine activist who was detained twice after travelling on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, has publicly backed Sheeran's 'cancellation'
After the news of Macklemore's departure, all of Sheeran's remaining support acts also stepped away from the tour.
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all → accuse → tour
American singer Finneas wrote: 'Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.
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they → write → oppressed
I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran.
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I → decide → Sheeran
I stand with Palestine and its people.'
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I → stand → Palestine
Irish performer Aaron Rowe took a strong stance as he wrote: 'Ed has been a friend to me and has changed my life.
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Ed → take → life
I could never thank him enough for this.
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I → thank → this
But as Irish people, we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation.'
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we → know → genocide
He continued by saying he 'cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up'.
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who → continue → those
Danish band Lukas Graham said: 'We should be able to speak about war, about civilians being killed, about children who deserve to grow up.
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who → say → children
Wherever they live.
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they → live → ?
Whatever flag flies over them.'
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flag → fly → them
Irish band Beoga, who joined Sheeran for eight songs including Galway Girl, also revealed that they are removing themselves from the tour.
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they → join → tour
…and 3 more, not listed.
The Aporia
