Dozens of Artists Boycott SXSW Festival over U.S. Army Sponsorship
The South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas has been at the center of controversy as numerous artists and bands have pulled out in protest of the event’s sponsorship by the U.S. Army. The protest, spearheaded by the Austin For Palestine Coalition, began in February after it was revealed that defense contractors supplying weapons to the Israeli military were involved in the festival.
Bands such as Squirrel Flower, Scowl, and Okay Shalom have withdrawn from SXSW in solidarity with Palestinians, sparking backlash from Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Abbott warned the bands not to return, but SXSW released a statement affirming its support for diverse viewpoints, including the decision of performers to withdraw from the event.
Despite the boycott, SXSW kicked off on Friday with over 2,000 performers scheduled to participate. The festival has faced criticism in the past for its ties to controversial sponsors, but organizers have defended their decision to include a wide range of perspectives in the event.
As tensions continue to rise, it remains to be seen how the boycott will impact SXSW and its future partnerships with military-related sponsors. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
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