Skateboarding has increasingly become part of the wider debate surrounding Palestine, with skateboard brands, shops, artists, and skaters taking action through boycotts, fundraising, and community support.
Now, Core skateboarder and rapper Macklemore is speaking out after claiming that nine major U.S. arenas refused to host his Free Palestine fundraising tour.
In a lengthy Instagram post, Macklemore named several venues that allegedly rejected his proposed concerts, including Madison Square Garden in New York, Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Barclays Center in Brooklyn, UBS Arena, Prudential Center, Intuit Dome, Kia Forum, Chase Center in San Francisco, and Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.
According to Macklemore, bringing the fundraising tour to the United States was part of the original plan. However, after weeks of contacting venues, he claims that previously available dates were taken off the table once organizers explained that the shows would raise money for Palestine.
READ MORE: Skater Rapper Macklemore Commits $1 Million to Palestine Relief Efforts Amid Ongoing Suffering
He described the experience as intimidation, manipulation, and suppression, saying he no longer cares about damaging professional relationships over his support for Palestinians.
Macklemore previously brought the benefit concerts to Dublin, London, and Paris, where thousands of people attended. More than 40 artists and speakers also participated in the European events, which received positive reviews, including praise from The Guardian's Alexis Petridis.
His U.S. venue difficulties follow his removal from Ed Sheeran's American tour after delivering an onstage speech supporting Palestine and the occupied West Bank.
Sheeran later explained that venues had raised concerns about Macklemore remaining part of the lineup. Following the incident, the other four opening acts and Sheeran's live band reportedly left the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.
The response to Palestine has also reached the skateboarding industry, where some companies have taken action through distribution boycotts.
DLXSF and Crailtap have reportedly stopped distributing their skateboard brands to Israel, adding their names to a growing discussion among skaters about the industry's relationship with the country.
READ MORE: DLXSF Boss Jim Thiebaud Announces End to Israel Distribution Across All Brands
These decisions come as independent skateboarding communities continue to organize their own efforts to support Palestinians, particularly young people who have lost access to basic equipment and recreational spaces.
One group facing these difficulties is the Gaza Skate Team, a local skateboarding community founded by Rajab Al-Reefi.
The team has been working to give children and young people in Gaza opportunities to skateboard, despite the destruction and severe shortages affecting daily life.
READ MORE: Crailtap Distribution Cuts Off Israel, Ends All Sales of Girl, Chocolate and Royal
The situation has left the crew with very limited equipment.
The team has reported having only five skateboards for approximately 60 children and young people. Its members have also lost much of their equipment through airstrikes and repeated displacement.
Funding is urgently needed to purchase skateboards, rebuild ramps, obtain supplies, and develop a dedicated skatepark where children can practice and spend time together.
The project has also expressed interest in creating a skatepark specifically for girls.
Getting equipment into Gaza has presented another challenge, with skateboard donations and supplies facing serious access restrictions.
READ MORE: Gaza Skate Team Builds Hope Through DIY Skatepark Despite Lack of Skate Industry Support
As a result, fundraising and international support from the skateboarding community have become particularly important.
For local skaters, this is about giving children access to something many people elsewhere take for granted, a skateboard, a place to ride, and the opportunity to spend time with friends.
Macklemore's situation is another example of how support for Palestine has become a subject of discussion across skating, music and entertainment.
Despite the reported venue rejections, Macklemore says he intends to organize more benefit performances and continue working with artists and organizers supporting Palestine.
He has also suggested taking future concerts outdoors if traditional arenas remain unavailable.
Meanwhile, skateboarders and independent brands continue to find their own ways to contribute, from ending distribution relationships to raising funds for communities that need equipment and facilities.
Macklemore Posted:
Trying to silence us will only make the message louder