American rapper Macklemore performed live for the first time his new song “Hind’s Hole,” which expresses solidarity with Palestine and denounces Israeli military action, in front of a packed crowd in New Zealand’s capital Wellington.
“I stand here today and every day for the rest of my life, I stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people with a generous heart, believing that our collective liberation is at stake, and that we all need to live this life together.” “I believe we have a right to freedom in the world,” Macklemore said in a short speech 40 minutes into the two-hour set.
“yesterday [Tuesday], I released a song called “Hind’s Hall.” Can I play it for you guys? ” he asked as the audience screamed.
During his performance, the red, white and green Palestinian flag flashed in the stadium. Behind him, a video montage played, alternating footage of U.S. student protesters, politicians, and Gaza.
As he sang, the audience of 5,500 raised their hands and several fans waved keffiyehs, black and white scarves associated with the Palestinian struggle.
Towards the end of the song, Macklemore led a chant of “Free, Free Palestine,” which the audience repeated back to him. Macklemore then called for an immediate ceasefire.
The artist released his song on social media and YouTube on Tuesday, pledging to donate all proceeds to the United Nations relief agency Unrwa once it hits streaming services.
The song provides powerful support not only for Palestine, but also for those protesting at American universities against Israeli activities in Gaza. The title refers to Hamilton Hall, a Columbia University building that was occupied by students last week and renamed Hinds Hall by protesters after six-year-old Hind Rajab, who was killed in Gaza. .
“If students set up tents on the lawn/occupying the quad, it’s really against the law/And that’s reason to call the police and the squad/Where does genocide fit in your definition?” he raps. and cited police crackdowns on protests.
Israel said it followed all international laws and was investigating allegations of abuses by its security forces.
In Macklemore’s song, he says “there’s blood on your hands” for Joe Biden and says he won’t vote for him later this year.
The rapper characterizes Israel as “a state that must rely on an apartheid system to maintain its history of occupation violence over the past 75 years.” [years]” and says he has experienced support from Jews in solidarity with pro-Palestinian protests. “We see in them the lie that claims that being anti-Zionist is anti-Semitism / I want my Jewish brothers and sisters to be there, riding in solidarity, with them I have seen people shouting for “Liberate Palestine.”
In addition to condemning Israel’s campaign in Gaza, Columbia University students are calling on the university to divest from companies with ties to Israel, a demand echoed at other campuses across the country. There is. New York police arrested more than 100 protesters at Columbia University last week, including those occupying Hamilton Hall. More than 2,000 people arrested in US campus protests.
Macklemore fans Stacey and Matt Johnsen traveled from the depths of the South Island to see him perform in Wellington and praised the artist for taking a stand.
“I think it’s great that someone is finally speaking up,” Stacey said. “He’s a down-to-earth, humane person.”
“You are allowed to have your opinion just like anyone else…No one wants war and no one wants innocent people to die or get hurt,” Matt said. said. “Other guys might be more aggressive about it or lean a little more towards a certain side, but Macklemore doesn’t seem like that to me.”
The couple felt proud that their musical hero was taking a risk and hoped Macklemore’s message would resonate with their audience and beyond. “I hope this will encourage more people to speak up,” Stacey said.
