Artists and Speakers Withdraw from SXSW Festival Over Military and Defense Industry Backing
Numerous artists and speakers have decided to withdraw from the current South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, due to their objection to the festival's sponsorship by the US military and defense corporations amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Dozens of performers and speakers have decided to cancel their appearances at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas. They are protesting the event's sponsorship from the US military and defense companies, especially during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The bands, singers, and panelists who are withdrawing from South by Southwest (SXSW) have expressed their solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. They mentioned the significant event sponsorship from the US Army and a few smaller defense industry partnerships, particularly at a time when the US government is supporting Israel in the war.
As of Tuesday, most of the boycotting artists were small bands and indie performers who have shared their decisions on social media.
One of the first artists to withdraw from the event was singer-songwriter Ella Williams, also known as "Squirrel Flower." She stated last week that she was boycotting the annual tech, film, and music festival to protest SXSW's connections to the defense industry and to show support for the Palestinian people.
The US Army is a major sponsor of SXSW, along with at least three events sponsored by companies in the defense industry.
Following the October 7 attacks by Hamas, the US has shown strong support for Israel by providing military aid. However, there have been disagreements between the leaders of the two countries regarding the increasing civilian casualties in Gaza. Since the declaration of war by Israel on Hamas, over 31,000 people in Gaza have been killed and more than 72,000 have been injured, as reported by the health ministry in the besieged enclave.
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Civilians in Gaza are celebrating Ramadan amidst the ongoing conflict. One civilian, Williams, expressed his refusal to participate in a music festival that included war profiteers. He decided to withdraw his art and labor in protest, as stated in his Instagram post.
Some artists who are participating in the boycott have decided to cancel their performances at the official festival, but they will still be playing at other shows in Austin. These include R&B artist Yaya Bey, singer Mei Semones, and punk band Scowl.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott shared his response to the protest on social media last Tuesday, simply stating, "Bye. Don't come back."
"We are proud of the U.S. military in Texas. If you don’t like it, don’t come here,” Abbott said on X.
SXSW organizers said in a series of posts on the festival’s X account that they "do not agree" with the governor’s attitude toward the boycott.
One of the festival's posts states that they fully respect the decision of the artists to exercise their right to free speech. The organizers of SXSW also defended their choice to accept the sponsors.
According to a series of SXSW posts, the defense industry has historically been a testing ground for many of the systems we use today. These institutions are often at the forefront of new technologies, and understanding how their methods will impact our lives is important. The sponsorship from the Army is part of SXSW's dedication to showcasing ideas that shape our world.
Last year, SXSW attracted over 340,000 attendees, according to organizers. The festival usually features a wide range of conferences, panels, music showcases, film screenings, and exhibitions. This year, attendees have had the opportunity to participate in panels with actress Selena Gomez, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and investor Mark Cuban.
SXSW's social media posts emphasize their commitment to "support human rights for all."
The festival statement emphasized the tragic situation in the Middle East and the importance of standing together against injustice.
A rally is planned for Thursday evening outside a SXSW venue, organized by the Austin for Palestine Coalition and United Musicians and Allied Workers. They advocate for fairer wages and work standards for musical artists.
CNN has sought comment from the US Army.
Editor's P/S:
The boycott of SXSW by artists protesting the event's sponsorship by the US military and defense companies reflects the increasing politicization of cultural events. This boycott highlights the growing awareness and sensitivity among artists to the ethical implications of their work, and their willingness to use their platforms to advocate for social justice. The artists' solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, in particular, demonstrates their concern about the human toll of conflict and their opposition to the use of violence to resolve political disputes.
The response from SXSW organizers, who defended their choice to accept the sponsorships, raises questions about the balance between artistic freedom and financial considerations. While SXSW has the right to accept sponsorship from any entity, the decision to do so should be weighed against the potential ethical consequences. It is important for cultural institutions to consider the values that their sponsors represent and to ensure that these values align with their own mission and commitment to social responsibility.
