Zach Bryan Wears ‘Free Palestine’ Shirt at Gillette in Apparent Show of Solidarity with Macklemore
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Zach Bryan wore a “Free Palestine” T-shirt at Gillette Stadium on Friday, and members of his band wore matching shirts. The appearance comes after pro-Palestinian remarks by Macklemore led to his removal from the remaining US dates of Ed Sheeran’s tour, a decision Robert Kraft said he helped bring about.
Macklemore had performed “Hind’s Hall” and said his criticism of the Israeli government was not directed at Jewish fans; Kraft said he believed a line had been crossed on antisemitism while recognising Palestinian suffering. Several other performers left the tour in solidarity, and Macklemore later pledged $1 million to Palestinian aid groups. Bryan did not address his shirt onstage, and it is not clear whether it was intended as a response; he is due back at Gillette on Saturday, while Kraft has yet to comment.
- Bryan and bandmates wore “Free Palestine” shirts at Gillette.
- The venue is owned by Robert Kraft, who backed Macklemore’s tour removal.
- Bryan is scheduled to return on Saturday.
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Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts is owned by Robert Kraft, a prominent businessman involved in sports and entertainment. In September, rapper Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran's concert tour at the venue following remarks he made during a performance expressing support for Palestinian rights.
The removal raised significant questions about the authority of venue owners to control the political messages that artists express during performances. This debate has become increasingly prominent as more performers use their platforms to address contentious international political issues.
The incident reflects broader tensions in the entertainment industry regarding the relationship between artist activism and venue authority. Questions about freedom of speech and who should control the messages conveyed on a venue's property remain debated.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Artists should have the right to express political views, and criticism of Israeli government policies is distinct from antisemitism. Macklemore's statement explicitly distinguished his views from criticism of Jewish people, and Zach Bryan's silent expression of solidarity represents modest political speech. The fact that multiple performers left the tour in solidarity suggests a principled consensus that removing artists for political expression, however contentious, sets a dangerous precedent privileging corporate interests over artistic conscience and human rights advocacy.
The case against
Venue operators and promoters have the right to decide what messages are amplified on their stages. The phrase 'Free Palestine' and related messaging, whilst not inherently antisemitic, has in some contexts been used to delegitimise Israel entirely, and Kraft's concern reflects genuine worry about Jewish attendees' safety and comfort. This is not suppression of speech generally—artists can express these views elsewhere—but a venue's reasonable decision about what it will host, comparable to declining to platform other contested political messages.