Country music star Zach Bryan wore a “Free Palestine” shirt during his Friday night concert at Robert Kraft’s Gillette Stadium, roughly one month after the Jewish NFL owner removed Macklemore from the venue’s lineup following the rapper’s anti-Israel remarks.
Bryan, 30, took the stage at the sold-out show in Foxborough, Massachusetts, wearing a black T-shirt featuring white, three-dimensional lettering spelling out “FREE PALESTINE.”
A pine tree appeared beneath the words, separating them from the rest of the message: “AN APPEAL TO HEAVEN.”
The pine tree flag and the phrase “Appeal to Heaven” date to an American Revolutionary campaign associated with George Washington’s command of the Continental Army.
“Some American colonists embraced the idea that God could be summoned to help them defend their natural rights,” the National Park Service said of the flag and slogan.
The “Revival” singer was joined in the display of support by several members of his band, who also wore clothing featuring Palestinian references.
Guitarist Noah Le Gros performed alongside Bryan in a green Palestine soccer jersey. He later posted a photo of himself wearing the shirt in front of Kraft Sports and Entertainment signage.
Friday’s performance marked the start of a two-night run at Kraft’s stadium and served as part of the final leg of Bryan’s “With Heaven on Tour.”
Bryan’s public “Free Palestine” statement came just under a month after Macklemore delivered an anti-Israel speech during his opening performances for Ed Sheeran’s “Loop” tour at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sept. 4 and 5.
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The “Thrift Shop” rapper wore a black-and-white keffiyeh around his neck and called for a “free Palestine” while speaking about the war and the need for “every single human being” to have freedom.
Several NFL owners scheduled to host Sheeran’s tour then threatened to withdraw the concerts, saying they did not want Macklemore delivering political speeches at their venues.
Tour promoter Messina Touring Group assured the owners that Macklemore, whose legal name is Benjamin Haggerty, would not make anti-Israel statements during the second night at MetLife Stadium.
Macklemore defied those instructions and continued his remarks, while footage of Gaza and anti-Israel protests played on screens behind him.
“Free Palestine. I want those words to be clear so that people from Gaza to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten them. This next song was inspired by the bravery of the Columbia University students, who led an encampment movement that mobilized the entire world, opening up hearts — myself included,” Macklemore said.
Macklemore was removed from the rest of the tour after the stadium owners, led by Kraft, threatened to cancel Sheeran’s concerts.
Sheeran’s scheduled shows at Gillette Stadium were later canceled because of severe weather.
Kraft and Sheeran, who have maintained a longstanding relationship, discussed the controversy involving Macklemore and agreed to donate money to Palestinian relief efforts.
“Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, Ed called me and asked me to commit $2 million to match his donation to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis,” Kraft said in a statement in September. “Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges.”