Ms. Rachel will match Macklemore’s $1 million donation — and wants wealthy white celebrities to do the same
TheGrio...
Rachel Accurso called on celebrities to use their “privilege and platforms” to support children and human rights.
Children’s entertainer Rachel Accurso, widely known as Ms. Rachel, announced that she will match rapper Macklemore’s $1 million donation to organizations supporting Palestinians. Accurso made the announcement on Instagram Sept. 17, as backlash continued after Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour following his public statements supporting Palestinians.
Ms. Rachel said she would match Macklemore’s donation and challenged other wealthy white celebrities to contribute as well.
“I will match Macklemore’s donation and I invite every wealthy white celebrity to match it and speak out against the genocide in Gaza.” She continued by focusing specifically on children affected by the conflict. “Over 20,000 precious Palestinian children have been killed and children continue to be killed every day.”
Accurso said celebrities with significant platforms have a responsibility to use them in support of children and human rights. “We have a moral obligation to use our privilege and platforms to protect children and human rights.” Her comments add to her increasingly public advocacy concerning Gaza and other conflicts involving children. Variety reports that Accurso has previously raised more than $1 million for children affected by conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan.
Macklemore announced on Wednesday that he would donate his entire $1 million in net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six organizations supporting Palestinians. The organizations include the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, Heal Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, UNRWA USA National Committee and Anera. The donation followed Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s tour after he made pro-Palestinian remarks during a Sept. 5 performance.
Sheeran, on the other hand, explained that he chooses not to use his professional platform to make public political statements because his audiences include children and people from different backgrounds. He said there can be different approaches to advocating for peace and change.