Pro-Palestine Protest Set for Ed Sheeran's Gillette Stadium Show

A pro-Palestine demonstration is scheduled for Saturday, September 26, outside Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, where Ed Sheeran is set to perform his second show of the weekend. The protest, sponsored by Massachusetts Peace Action, will begin at 2:30 PM ET, one hour before concert gates open at 3:30 PM ET.

Massachusetts Peace Action, an advocacy group focused on ending the Israel-Palestinian conflict, is organizing the demonstration around the corner from the stadium. The group states the protest is part of the Stop the Madness in Washington mobilization and will center on opposing what it describes as "billionaire censorship" and "genocide in Palestine."

In a statement, the group said, "For organizers of the Foxborough demonstration, the [Sheeran-Macklemore controversy] raises another issue that fits directly into the broader September 26 mobilization: the growing power of billionaires and powerful institutions to shape both our politics and the boundaries of public debate."

The controversy stems from the removal of Macklemore from the tour, an action allegedly spearheaded by billionaire Robert Kraft, who owns Gillette Stadium. Kraft reportedly led an effort among other stadium owners to have Macklemore removed. Public opinion remains divided: some support Kraft's decision, citing accusations that Macklemore used antisemitic imagery during the tour with Sheeran, while others, including Colin Kaepernick, argue the move demonstrates stadium owners banding together to silence speech they oppose.

Sheeran has insisted the decision to remove Macklemore was not his, but he has faced criticism for not doing more to prevent it. During his concert in Philadelphia last weekend, Sheeran became emotional, breaking down in tears while speaking to fans from the stage. That performance also drew protesters.

The upcoming demonstration in Foxborough follows this pattern of local activism, highlighting the intersection of celebrity, corporate influence, and political expression. As the September 26 mobilization approaches, local residents and concertgoers should be aware of the scheduled protest and potential traffic impacts near Gillette Stadium.