Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) briefly dismissed bands who announced a boycott over the South by Southwest festival, one of the state’s biggest annual events.
This annual event has featured film, music, interactive media, and conferences in Austin, Texas since 1987. Austin is typically considered the most arts-centric city in the state.
The typically progressive art scene prevalent at the festival decided in 2024 that the event’s sponsors had gone too far by including the U.S. military as a major patron.
Multiple artists have announced their withdrawal from the festival, often citing sponsorships related to the Israeli-Palestinian war.
Kneecap, a rap group from Northern Ireland, announced that they would not be participating in the festival, saying, “We cannot in good conscience participate in an arts festival where the “U.S. Army” is a “super sponsor.”
They also claimed that other sponsors, such as RTX, “sell the weapons that have killed 31,000 Palestinians.”
Posted by Brooklyn-based artist Okay Shalom Instagram That she dropped out of the festival.
“There is always the right thing to do, and it is rarely as complicated as the establishment would like us to believe. Sometimes it comes at the cost of dreams, but dreams are dreams, not lives. Palestinians must dream.” They have a right. They have a right to live,'” she wrote.
“I’m pulling out because of the fact that SXSW platforms defense contractors, including a subsidiary of Raytheon and the U.S. Army, which is the main sponsor of the festival,” added artist Ella Williams. squirrel flower.
a British group called lambrini girls They were less specific, saying they were “trying to find a way.” [sic] Get out of the situation while maintaining your moral integrity [sic]. ”
Governor Abbott responded to media reports on the matter through his X account, as dozens of bands reportedly withdrew.
“The band is withdrawing from SXSW due to U.S. military sponsorship. Goodbye. Don’t come back. Austin remains the headquarters of Army Futures Command. San Antonio is the military capital of the United States. We will support the U.S. military in Texas. I’m proud of it. If you don’t, ‘I don’t like it, don’t come here,'” Abbott said. I have written.
as USA Today Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of defense contractor RTX Corporation (formerly Raytheon Technologies Corporation), reportedly sponsored two showcases at SXSW.
The US military also announced itself as “.super sponsor” festivals are more likely to reach a younger audience, despite recruitment difficulties.
The progressive boycott movement does not mention other corporate sponsors that have funded the festival over the years. Volkswagen, alcohol brand White Claw, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, credit card company Capital One, and more are listed.notable alumni“Event sponsor.
Sponsors for 2024 include Delta Air Lines and Itaú, Latin America’s largest financial institution.
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