India, Sept. 20 -- Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered near Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Saturday ahead of Ed Sheeran's scheduled concert, waving Palestinian flags and chanting "Free Palestine" one week after rapper Macklemore was removed from Sheeran's US tour.

The demonstration marked the latest flashpoint in a controversy that has engulfed the British singer's Loop Tour since Macklemore's exit, drawing sustained criticism from pro-Palestinian activists and fellow musicians alike.

Macklemore, whose full name is Ben Haggerty, was dropped from the tour after facing criticism over pro-Palestinian remarks made during his opening performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 4 and 5 September.

According to Macklemore's ow...