Over 80 bands have announced they are boycotting the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas, in support of Palestine.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott responded by telling the bands and artists not to come back.
The event is being sponsored by several military-industrial complex giants, including Raytheon, which the artists have slammed for supplying weapons and supporting Israel's "violent oppression of the Palestinian people."
The U.S. Army also sponsors SXSW.
The Austin for Palestine Coalition began organizing the boycotts in February.
"SXSW must disinvite Raytheon (RTX), its subsidiary Collins Aerospace, and BAE Systems to the conference and festivals in the city of Austin," the coalition wrote in a post on Instagram. "Raytheon, Collins Aerospace, and BAE Systems have direct ties to the arming of Israel, supporting their violent oppression of the Palestinian people. Raytheon manufactures missiles, bombs, and other weapon systems for the Israeli military to use against Palestinians."
Several artists put out statements slamming the festival for platforming defense contractors. At least three cited the U.S. Army sponsorship.
Punk band Scowl wrote, "We came to this decision in protest of the U.S. Army’s sponsorship of SXSW. As well as the involvement of RTX (formerly Raytheon), Collins Aerospace, and BAE Systems whom have direct ties to the manufacturing and supplying of weapons used against Palestinians." Free Palestine. pic.twitter.com/AW71rrzmtX
— SCOWL (@Scowl40831) March 8, 2024
"We refuse to be complicit in the face of genocide in Palestine. We refuse to participate in the war machine."
Abbott responded by pointing directly at the artists who mentioned the Army as part of their decision to boycott the festival. Bands pull out of SXSW over U.S. Army sponsorship.
Bye. Don’t come back.
Austin remains the HQ for the Army Futures Command.
San Antonio is Military City USA.
We are proud of the U.S. military in Texas.
If you don’t like it, don’t come here.
https://t.co/t3RyQgLRKN
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) March 12, 2024
"Bands pull out of SXSW over U.S. Army sponsorship. Bye. Don’t come back. Austin remains the HQ for the Army Futures Command. San Antonio is Military City USA. We are proud of the U.S. military in Texas. If you don’t like it, don’t come here," Abbott wrote in post on X.
