UPDATE 5:00 P.M. PST: Robert Kraft has responded! He’s not only matching Macklemore’s donation, he’s doubling it! But he says it’s not because of Macklemore… it’s actually because Ed Sheeran asked him to do it! In a statement to the press, he says:
“I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people. I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting. 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. Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges. 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 opportunity for Palestinians and have brought young Palestinians and Israelis together to build businesses, create jobs, and forge relationships.”
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That’s a massive donation!
Mackelmore announced on Wednesday he’s donating $1 million in Ed Sheeran tour earnings to Palestinian relief efforts — and he’s calling on billionaire Robert Kraft to match it!!
In case you need a refresher on why this is such a big deal, let’s catch you up…
A couple weeks ago Macklemore shared his support for the people of Palestine while performing on Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour. The performance stirred debate and controversy. Even Pink got in the conversation.
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On Monday of this week it was formally announced that the rapper was being dropped from the tour. Macklemore released a lengthy statement explaining what happened behind the scenes, claiming New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft was the driving force behind his firing. He also called out people who take a “neutral” stance, saying “refusing to take a side doesn’t leave you in the middle.”
That afternoon, Robert Kraft released a response defending his decision to not have Macklemore at his stadium. The next day Ed released his own statement in hopes of clarifying some points. In the hours that followed, though, all of his supporting acts — including Billie Eilish‘s brother Finneas — quit in solidarity with Macklemore.
Now, on Wednesday, Macklemore has released a second statement. He starts it off bringing the focus back to the Palestinian people, writing:
“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.”
He then makes a big promise:
“I will be donating the entire $1 million of my net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six organizations working directly to support the Palestinian people.”
$1 million in relief is massive. And here’s where it gets the chance to be an even larger impact… Macklemore then challenges Robert Kraft directly to match his donation:
“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.”
Read Macklemore’s statement in full (below):
Thoughts?? Think Mr. Kraft will respond??
Let us know in the comments (below)!
[Image via MEGA/WENN]
