'Free Palestine' written across Dunedin's Ed Sheeran mural

<p>The words "Free Palestine" have been scrawled across a mural of British singer Ed Sheeran in Dunedin, in reference to the dropping of Macklemore from his tour for speaking about the conflict. </p> <p>Ed Sheeran's tour of North and South America has been roiled by the decision this week to <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/16/other-support-acts-quit-ed-sheerans-tour-after-macklemore-dropped/" target="_blank">drop the US rapper as an opener</a> because of his onstage pro-Palestinian comments. Since then, all of Sheeran's other supporting acts have dropped out, including a group that plays with Sheeran during part of the show.</p> <p>Today, large black lettering appeared across the bottom of the Bath St mural.</p> <p>1News has contacted New Zealand police for comment. </p> <p>Dunedin artist Tyler Kennedy Stent painted the mural in 2018, when Sheeran played three concerts in the city.