US rapper Macklemore launches 'Free Palestine Tour' after Ed Sheeran fallout

US rapper Macklemore on Monday (Oct 26) launched his new "Free Palestine Tour" in Dublin, Ireland, after being dropped as a supporting act by British pop star Ed Sheeran over pro-Palestinian comments.



Standing in lines outside the venue for the first show in the Irish capital, which promoters said had sold out, excited fans praised the 43-year-old's stance.



"Macklemore's support for Palestine is huge. He's stood up and he's put himself on the line instead of taking the easy way out," said Michael Keating, a 31-year-old who works in insurance, told AFP.



"He's risking his popularity, his future, his family's future – everything just for peace. And it is very important."



The Thrift Shop star was removed from Sheeran's US tour after shouting "Free Palestine!" on stage and telling Palestinians they were "not forgotten".



Sheeran has said the decision to drop Macklemore was made by tour promoters, not him – provoking outrage among musicians and pro-Palestinian activists.