PORTLAND, Maine — Dozens of protestors and police officers lined the streets outside the State Theatre in Portland Wednesday night — an uncommon sight for a weeknight concert.
Protesters with Maine Jews for Palestine said they said they were there because they wanted to speak out against the Israel-Hamas war being fought in Gaza and against the headliner, who they said was "not welcome."
But Jewish-American reggae and hip-hop artist Matisyahu's performance went ahead as planned, despite organizers' efforts urging the venue to cancel the show over his public support for Israel during the war in Gaza.
“[Matisyahu's] not welcome here in Portland,” Maine Jews for Palestine organizer Leo Hilton told NEWS CENTER Maine. “We find it absolutely unacceptable for an artist to mask their hatred with this peace-and-love rhetoric to come to our city and put on a show to spread his message."
Three of his recent concerts were canceled by venues in Santa Fe, New Mexico; Tucson, Arizona; and Chicago, Illinois. Each city cited a different reason, according to a Matisyahu spokesperson.
“What I want is somebody speaking volumes and saying good things to me," concertgoer Jason Rubito said. "I feel like [Matisyahu] is doing that.”
David Draiman, the lead singer for Disturbed, has helped raise money for Matisyahu to hire private security.
“I think every artist’s music should be heard but especially Matisyahu's,” Draiman told NEWS CENTER Maine. “I refuse to let any of my fellow Jews be intimidated or be terrorized.”
Before his concert, Matisyahu told NEWS CENTER Maine he believes in the state of Israel but also cares about the citizens of Palestine.
"These [protestors] out here are confused," Matisyahu said. "They don't have any sense of what’s really happening in the world.”
Matisyahu explained his goal is to create a welcoming environment.
"It's a place where you’re allowed to believe in the Jewish people, where you’re allowed to believe in Israel, have an Israeli flag, and sing about peace and love,” he said.