Mark Ruffalo Appears at Macklemore Concert in Support of Pro-Palestinian Stance
Actor sends video message of solidarity as rapper addresses his removal from Ed Sheeran's tour over his own pro-Palestinian statements.
Actor Mark Ruffalo made a surprise video appearance at a Macklemore concert in Dublin, Ireland, on Monday, voicing his support for the pro-Palestinian movement. The appearance came as Macklemore headlined his tour opener following his removal from Ed Sheeran's tour due to on-stage remarks supporting Palestinians.
"Keep fighting for a free Palestine and for humanity all over the world and equality amongst people," Ruffalo said in his message, according to the Irish Star. "There will be no peace until there’s equality. Thoughts and love, have a great show. Keep fighting the good fight."
Macklemore also addressed his expulsion from Sheeran's tour, stating that his remarks, "Free Palestine," were rooted in love and a call to recognize shared humanity, not hatred. He explained that he wanted Palestinians to have the same freedom, dignity, and right to exist without fear that he desires for everyone.
"Those two words are so threatening to some people," Macklemore said during the concert, where he wore a keffiyeh in solidarity with Palestinians. "They would rather silence those two words than confront what they actually mean. Freedom that requires another person’s oppression isn’t freedom at all."
He added that while words are debated, the reality of suffering in Gaza, with children pulled from rubble and families erased, makes the call for freedom necessary. Macklemore emphasized music's historical role as a platform for resistance, unity, and sharing stories.
Macklemore's "Free Palestine" tour, consisting of three sold-out shows in Dublin, Paris, and London, was announced after his removal from Sheeran's tour. He stated that the shows aim to raise funds for organizations supporting Palestine and the Palestinian movement.
The rapper was removed from Sheeran's tour in September after stadium owner Robert Kraft accused him of hate speech for comments made during performances at MetLife Stadium. Macklemore had stated that all human beings deserve freedom and that people in Gaza and the West Bank had not been forgotten. He performed his song "Hind's Hall" with images of devastation in Gaza projected on screen.
In response to Macklemore's removal, all of Sheeran's opening acts—Finneas, Lukas Graham, and Aaron Rowe, along with the backing band Beoga—left the tour in solidarity. Sheeran later apologized to his fans for how the situation was handled, acknowledging the "horrific" events of October 7 in Israel and describing the situation in Gaza as "catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate."