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Texas Governor Greg Abbott and SXSW traded blows Tuesday on social media in response to a group of up to 60 bands pulling out of the Austin-based festival to protest its sponsorship ties to the U.S. military, as well as its inclusion of defense contractors participating in some of the festival’s conference programs.
“Goodbye. Don’t come back,” Abbott wrote today on his personal Twitter account (X) as news of the withdrawals spread. “Austin remains the headquarters of the Army Futures Command. San Antonio is the military city of the United States. “United. We are proud of the American military in Texas. If you don’t like it, don’t come here.”
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On its own social media accounts, SXSW responded to Abbott saying that “SXSW does not agree with Governor Abbott” and added that the organization “welcomes diverse points of view. Music is the lifeblood of SXSW and has long been our legacy. “We fully respect the decision these artists made to exercise their right to freedom of expression.” (See full festival statement below.)
At the center of the band’s boycott is the inclusion of the US military as a sponsor of SXSW; according to the festival website, it is a “Super Sponsor” along with other companies such as Volkswagen, The Austin Chronicle, Porsche, C4 Energy and Delta. Additionally, defense contractors Raytheon, Collins Aerospace and BAE Systems, as well as Department of Defense agencies including the CIA and NSA, participate in speaking events at the festival, the sprawling annual event in Austin that encompasses well-known music, Film and television festival with speaker platforms and conferences featuring topics ranging from technology, entertainment, science and culture to health, politics and media.
Organizers of a group called the Austin Coalition for Palestine on their No Warmongers at SXSW 2024 website highlight that the trio of defense contractors contribute to the current war between Israel and Hamas, saying that Raytheon and Collins make weapons and military aircraft components. for the Israeli army to use.” use against Palestinians,” while BAE “supplied weapons and equipment used in the occupation of Palestinian territories.”
Calls for SXSW to disinvite businesses and reevaluate the inclusion of DOD agencies in festival events and discussions. It also urges festival organizers to “use their platform to raise awareness about the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza and advocate for peace, justice and the protection of human rights.”
“Additionally, we are concerned about SXSW’s platform of DoD agencies, including the CIA, NSA, and NRO,” he wrote. “These organizations contribute to violence around the world, undermining the festival’s reputation as a celebration of creativity and innovation. “If SXSW wants to retain its credibility, it must change course by rejecting the normalization of militarization within the technology and entertainment industries.”
The website lists more than 60 band musicians who have left the music festival, which began Monday and runs through March 16. The United Musicians and Allied Workers organization has expressed its support for the boycott.
The SXSW Film and Television Festival will take place March 8-16.
SXSW is partially owned by P-MRC Holdings, a joint venture of Deadline’s parent company, Penske Media Corporation, and MRC.
Here’s SXSW’s full response to Abbott:
SXSW disagrees with Governor Abbott.
“We are an organization that welcomes diverse points of view. Music is the lifeblood of SXSW and has long been our legacy. We fully respect the decision these artists made to exercise their right to freedom of expression.
Around the world, we are witnessing unspeakable tragedies, the rise of repressive regimes and the increasing spread of violent conflict. It is more crucial than ever that we come together to solve these major humanitarian problems.
Historically, the defense industry has been a testing ground for many of the systems we rely on today. These institutions are often leaders in emerging technologies and we believe it is best to understand how their approach will impact our lives.
The Army’s sponsorship is part of our commitment to presenting ideas that shape our world. As for Collins Aerospace, they participated this year as a sponsor of two SXSW Pitch categories, giving entrepreneurs visibility and funding for potentially game-changing work.
We have supported and will continue to support human rights for all. “The situation in the Middle East is tragic and highlights the growing importance of standing united against injustice.”
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