SXSW Addresses U.S. Military Sponsorship as Artists Protest 2024 Competition in Assist of Palestine

A number of musicians have pulled out of SXSW occasions and showcases in protest of the competition’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 competition are Squirrel Flower, Mamalarky, Shalom, and Irish rap trio Kneecap, all of whom are protesting the US and RTX’s assist for Israel within the struggle in Gaza.

Texas’ governor, Greg Abbott, chastised the acts who’re protesting the competition, and SXSW has now responded that it “doesn’t agree with Governor Abbott” and that it helps the artists’ choices 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 convey 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 competition’s assertion concludes: “The scenario 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 an announcement 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 fulfill expertise innovators and leaders, discover new concepts and insights, and create dynamic business partnerships as we modernize for the long run.”

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

In accordance with Gaza’s native well being 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 competition shouldn’t embody struggle 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 company that welcomes various viewpoints. Music is the soul of SXSW, and it has lengthy been our legacy. We absolutely 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 larger humanitarian points.

The protection business has traditionally been a proving floor for lots of the techniques we depend on at this time. These establishments are sometimes leaders in rising applied sciences, and we imagine it’s higher to grasp how their strategy will impression our lives.

The Military’s sponsorship is a part of our dedication to convey 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.

Now we have and can proceed to assist human rights for all.

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