SXSW Addresses U.S. Army Sponsorship as Artists Protest 2024 Festival in Support of Palestine

A number of musicians have pulled out of SXSW occasions and showcases in protest of the pageant’s connections to the U.S. Military and Collins Aerospace (a subsidiary of the protection contractor RTX Company). Among the many artists to take away themselves from the pageant are Squirrel Flower, Mamalarky, Shalom, and Irish rap trio Kneecap, all of whom are protesting the USA and RTX’s assist for Israel within the battle in Gaza.

Texas’ governor, Greg Abbott, chastised the acts who’re protesting the pageant, and SXSW has now responded that it “doesn’t agree with Governor Abbott” and that it helps the artists’ selections to drop out of the Austin occasions.

Explaining its associations with the U.S. Military and Collins Aerospace, SXSW wrote, “The Military’s sponsorship is a part of our dedication to deliver ahead concepts that form our world. In regard to Collins Aerospace, they participated this yr as a sponsor of two SXSW Pitch classes, giving entrepreneurs visibility and funding for probably game-changing work.”

The pageant’s assertion concludes: “The state of affairs within the Center East is tragic, and it illuminates the heightened significance of standing collectively in opposition to injustice.”

Ellen Lovett, an Military spokeswoman, mentioned in a press release to Stars and Stripes, “We’re proud to be a sponsor of SXSW, and to have the chance to showcase America’s Military. SXSW presents a novel alternative for the Military to satisfy know-how innovators and leaders, discover new concepts and insights, and create dynamic trade partnerships as we modernize for the longer term.”

The USA is Israel’s prime army backer, as BBC Newsbeat notes. RTX Company, specifically, can also be known to supply weapons to Israel.

In line with Gaza’s local health ministry, greater than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel started its army offensive following the Hamas-led assaults on Israel on October 7.

“A music pageant shouldn’t embody battle profiteers,” Squirrel Flower wrote in her assertion final week. “I refuse to be complicit on this and withdrawal my artwork and labor in protest.”

South by Southwest:

SXSW doesn’t agree with Governor Abbott.

We’re a corporation that welcomes various viewpoints. Music is the soul of SXSW, and it has lengthy been our legacy. We totally respect the choice these artists made to train their proper to free speech.

Throughout the globe, we’re witnessing unspeakable tragedies, the rise of repressive regimes, and the growing unfold of violent battle. It’s extra essential than ever that we come collectively to resolve these higher humanitarian points.

The protection trade has traditionally been a proving floor for most of the techniques we depend on at present. These establishments are sometimes leaders in rising applied sciences, and we consider it’s higher to grasp how their strategy will influence our lives.

The Military’s sponsorship is a part of our dedication to deliver ahead concepts that form our world. In regard to Collins Aerospace, they participated this yr as a sponsor of two SXSW Pitch classes, giving entrepreneurs visibility and funding for probably game-changing work.

We now have and can proceed to assist human rights for all.

The state of affairs within the Center East is tragic, and it illuminates the heightened significance of standing collectively in opposition to injustice.