Demonstrators, many covering their faces, shouted “Free, free Palestine” in unison as motorists honked their horns in support.Robert Boucher, 73, a retired surgeon, said he was there to take a stand for freedom of speech.“The action that’s been taken by the stadium owners and folks who oppose Macklemore and what he represents and the comments that he’s made, that’s really an unjustifiable attempt to squelch free speech,” Boucher said.The Philadelphia resident asserted that his criticism is of the Israeli government and its treatment of civilians in Gaza, not a stance against Jewish people.“We’re here to specifically support our right to say the things that we’re saying and to not be labeled as antisemites or anti-Israel,” he said.Gwen Myrick, 51, of West Philadelphia, said she supports Macklemore’s stand.“I am here in support of Macklemore,” she said. “Because that is how a movement is born — standing up for the people who are brave enough to stand up.”Robert Boucher, a retired surgeon, asserted that criticism of the state of Israel for its treatment of civilians in Gaza is not a stance against Jewish people.Nicole Acevedo / Jattvibe NewsThe protest followed a weeklong controversy that began after Macklemore voiced support for Palestinians. He accused Kraft of organizing a boycott among stadium owners in response, an allegation Kraft did not deny.In a statement, Kraft said the decision was not intended to stifle Palestinian advocacy or diminish Palestinian suffering but to ensure a “welcoming environment” at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, which he owns. Macklemore had been scheduled to open two “Loop” tour dates there later this month.Sheeran, right, said previously that the company promoting his tour made the final decision to drop Macklemore, left, because it held the rapper’s contract.Getty ImagesThe rapper had also been scheduled to open Saturday’s show in Philadelphia. Instead, the protesters outside Lincoln Financial Field repeated some of the same pro-Palestinian remarks that Macklemore said led to his removal.Adi Chattopadhyay, who said he helped organize the demonstration, said Sheeran could halt criticism by donating money to Palestinian-related causes.“Send that money to families in Gaza,” he said. “Will he support the innocent people of Gaza who have been bombarded? Will he actually do something?”Macklemore has pledged to donate $1 million, which he said represented all of the net earnings from Sheeran’s tour, to six organizations supporting Palestinians. Kraft later pledged $2 million toward causes supporting people impacted by the war in Gaza to match a similar donation made by Sheeran.On Saturday, Sheeran said he’s spoken to “people across the spectrum to work out how to make a contribution that helps victims of these terrible times.”The controversy prompted other artists to leave the tour.Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Finneas — who were scheduled to open various dates during the remainder of the “Loop” tour — withdrew in protest of Macklemore’s removal. Beoga, Sheeran’s house band, also left the tour.The artists had previously been listed as supporting performers on Sheeran’s tour website, but their names were removed from the page Thursday.