Dozens of artists have withdrawn from the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas, in protest against sponsors with ties to Israel’s war in Gaza. The boycott, organized by the Austin for Palestine Coalition, has seen at least 80 artists pull out of the nine-day festival, which is considered a major event in the southern US entertainment scene. The boycott aims to show solidarity with the people of Gaza and protest the involvement of weapons companies and agencies tied to the US Department of Defense in the festival.
The boycott started with artists like Squirrel Flower and has since grown to include over 80 acts, speakers, and musicians. The advocacy organization United Musicians and Allied Workers has also supported the protest, condemning the presence of warmongers at SXSW. Despite criticism from Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who told artists not to come if they don’t like the US military’s presence in Texas, SXSW has defended the artists’ right to free speech and their decision to withdraw from the festival.
The festival has also defended its ties to the defense industry, stating that these institutions have historically been leaders in emerging technologies. The boycott has raised awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where thousands of Palestinians have been killed and the region is on the brink of famine. The Austin for Palestine Coalition and the United Musicians and Allied Workers Union are planning a protest show in Austin to continue their fight against the festival’s ties to the defense industry and its support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
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