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In a recent interview with TMZ, popular Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez spoke out about the Ed Sheeran Palestine saga, declaring that she would change the channel if he came on the radio.
The Democratic representative pledged to boycott Sheeran as she believes that he played a complicit part in Robert Kraft, owner of Boston’s Gillette Stadium, and other owners' efforts to silence Macklemore after he spoke out in support of Palestine.
After Macklemore was kicked off Ed Sheeran’s tour last week for singing a song about Palestine and waving the flag, the 'Shape of You' singer is circling the drain of being canceled completely.
While all of Sheeran’s other support acts have followed suit and dropped out of the Loop Tour, even politicians have decided to boycott the four-time Grammy award winner.
Although Ocasio-Cortez called on people to “put the focus on Robert Kraft”, she also criticised Sheeran for keeping largely quiet, at least until he denied that it was his decision to axe Macklemore.
When quizzed over whether Sheeran should continue with the tour and what his responsibility is, she said: “The right thing to do is to speak out about it and this abuse of power. If they are saying this to him, they can say it to anybody; when does it stop?"
Sheeran eventually broke his silence on Tuesday, September 15, in a six-slide Instagram statement declaring that it was not his personal decision to axe Macklemore from his tour.
The 35-year-old artist wrote in a statement: "After Macklemore's performances at my New Jersey shows, venues on my upcoming tour dates communicated that they would pull the shows if he was still supporting.
"I was informed that this stance was based on how Macklemore conveyed part of his message during his performance, rather than on everything that was said.
"I spoke with the venues at length all week to try and build a bridge. One of those people was Robert Kraft.
"I was also involved in direct talks with promoters along with activists on both sides to try and find a mutual resolution for all, but the venue's and promoter's decision was final.
"Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision; it was not mine.”
Despite the star denying that he sacked the rapper himself for voicing his views, the consensus online is largely that Sheeran should have stood up to venue owners and used his platform to endorse the important human rights violation currently taking place.
