South by Southwest (SXSW), a conference and collection of film, television, and music festivals held every March in Austin, Texas, has set the stage for controversy this year.
Over 100 bands and musicians have reportedly pulled out of their performances over the event’s ties to the U.S. Army, leading Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to issue a response on social media.
“Austin remains the HQ for the Army Futures Command. San Antonio is Military City USA,” Mr. Abbott wrote. “We are proud of the U.S. military in Texas. If you don’t like it, don’t come here.”
The flurry of canceled acts comes after the conference pegged the U.S. Army as one of its sponsors. In addition to co-sponsoring the event, the land service branch of the U.S. Armed Forces is hosting a range of Army panels and other events at the conference.
The boycotts were seemingly influenced by the Austin for Palestine Coalition, which launched a campaign aimed at pressuring SXSW to “reevaluate the inclusion of” government agencies like the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and the National Reconnaissance Office, which are also participating in the conference.
“If SXSW wishes to retain its credibility, it must change course by disavowing the normalization of militarization within the tech and entertainment industries.”
Additionally, the Austin for Palestine Coalition called on SXSW to “disinvite” defense contractors like the RTX Corporation, formerly known as Raytheon Technologies Corporation, and its subsidiary, Collins Aerospace, which reportedly manufactured weapons and other equipment used by the Israeli military. BAE Systems is also listed for supplying “weapons and equipment used in the occupation of Palestinian territories.”
Instead, the organization urged the conference to “use its platform to raise awareness about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and advocate for peace, justice, and the protection of human rights.”
SXSW Responds
The Austin-based conference’s other “super sponsors” include Volkswagen, Porsche, the left-leaning Austin Chronicle publication, energy drink brand C4 Energy, and Delta.In response to Mr. Abbott’s statement, SXSW said it “does not agree” with his sentiment.
“We are an organization that welcomes diverse viewpoints. Music is the soul of SXSW, and it has long been our legacy. We fully respect the decision these artists made to exercise their right to free speech,” SXSW said in a statement.
“The defense industry has historically been a proving ground for many of the systems we rely on today. These institutions are often leaders in emerging technologies, and we believe it’s better to understand how their approach will impact our lives,” the statement reads in part.
Bands Boycott SXSW
Squirrel Flower, Abe Balshon, Shalom, Eliza McLamb, Mamalarky, Merce Lemon, Proper, TC Superstar, and Ama the Band are among the slew of acts who have pulled out of the SXSW showcase, which kicked off on March 8 and ends on March 16.The band later posted that it would instead perform at an “Anti-SXSW Fest,” presented by the Falasteen Street Museum and Austin for Palestine Coalition.
“But it isn’t an iota of hardship when compared to the unimaginable suffering being inflicted every minute, every day on the people of Gaza,” the statement reads.