Petition To Remove Pink as UNICEF Ambassador Passes 150,000 Signatures Following Macklemore Comments

A Change.org petition seeking Pink's removal as a UNICEF Ambassador passed 150,000 verified signatures by Monday, 21 September.

The Pink UNICEF removal petition followed backlash over her response to Macklemore's pro-Palestinian remarks during Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour, and it asks UNICEF to remove the singer from the role.

Macklemore opened for Sheeran at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 4 and 5 September. During his sets, he said 'Free Palestine' and told people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank that 'we have not forgotten them.' StopAntisemitism later criticised the performance and said concertgoers deserved an apology and a refund.

Pink shared the group's Instagram post without initially adding her own explanation. The repost prompted criticism from users who treated StopAntisemitism's wording as Pink's own position. Pink later said the post contained words she had not written and would not have chosen in full.

In an 11 September Instagram statement, Pink said she did not object to the words 'Free Palestine' or anyone's right to say them. Her concern, she said, centred on Macklemore's stage presentation and remarks directed at Jewish listeners. Pink also said she had never asked for another artist to be silenced or fired.

Pink Petition Targets Her UNICEF Role

The Change.org campaign argues that Pink's comments are incompatible with her work as a UNICEF Ambassador.

Organisers say ambassadors should meet the 'highest standards of neutrality and compassion' when discussing children affected by conflict. That remains the organisers' position, not a finding announced by UNICEF.

UNICEF USA currently lists P!NK, whose name is Alecia Moore, as a UNICEF Ambassador since 2015. Its profile says she raises awareness of the organisation's health and nutrition programmes and their impact on children worldwide.

UNICEF says its humanitarian operations and advocacy follow humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence. However, UNICEF has not publicly said Pink breached those principles or any rule governing her ambassador role.

Pink also addressed her humanitarian work while responding to the backlash. She said children did not choose the country or war they were born into. She added that she had 'grieved every one of them, on both sides of that fence.'

She also rejected claims that her repost amounted to speaking for Israel. 'Of course I don't speak for Israel, or for any government. I never have,' she wrote. Pink added that Palestinians deserved a future that honoured their humanity and aspirations.

The petition nevertheless calls on UNICEF to take 'decisive action' and remove Pink. A petition records support for a demand, but does not establish its allegations as fact. UNICEF had not announced any public disciplinary action or review involving Pink when checked on Monday.

Pink Row Widens Across Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour

The controversy widened after Macklemore was removed from the remaining support dates on Sheeran's US tour. Messina Touring Group said upcoming venues had told promoters they would not host concerts with Macklemore on the lineup. The promoter removed him following discussions with stakeholders.

Sheeran later said Macklemore's removal was the promoter's decision, not his. Macklemore said he and Sheeran had held difficult conversations before the decision and continued defending his pro-Palestinian advocacy.

The fallout then spread to other performers. Finneas, Aaron Rowe and Lukas Graham withdrew from scheduled support appearances. Beoga also left the tour, though in a different capacity. The Irish group had been acting as Sheeran's touring band during parts of his concerts.

Finneas publicly explained his decision, saying, 'Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.'

The departures widened a controversy that began with Macklemore's stadium remarks and Pink's decision to amplify criticism of them. They also brought fresh attention to the campaign targeting Pink's UNICEF position.

UNICEF USA continued to list Pink as an ambassador on Monday. No public response from Pink or UNICEF directly addressing the removal petition was found.