Festival severs Army and defense contractor sponsorships after more than 80 artists withdrew from 2024 edition
By Adrian Horton, The Guardian
South by Southwest has discontinued its partnership with the US Army and the defense contractor RTX Corporation for its 2025 festival in response to concerns from numerous artists who withdrew from the 2024 event, the festival announced on Wednesday.
“After careful consideration, we are revising our sponsorship model,” the festival said in a statement on its website’s FAQ page. “As a result, the US army, and companies who engage in weapons manufacturing, will not be sponsors of SXSW 2025.”
The film, culture and tech festival, held each March in Austin, Texas, will also discontinue its partnership with Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of weapons manufacturer RTX Corporation, formerly known as Raytheon.
Over 80 artists withdrew from the 2024 festival in support of Palestine after Israel’s invasion of Gaza, citing SXSW’s ties to the weapons manufacturer and its sponsorship by the US army.
Recent Posts
Two Thirds of People Arrested by ICE in Minnesota Surge Had No Criminal Records, New Data Reveals
Take Action Now The White House had said all the thousands of people arrested were “dangerous criminal” immigrants.By Meghnad Bose and Luke…
BREAKING: Israel Approves Extreme Death Penalty Law Targeting Only Palestinians
Take Action Now Monday’s vote in the Knesset to impose a one-sided death penalty bill on Palestinians will further cement Israel’s system of…
‘Erasing The Lines’: How Settler Outposts Are Seizing New Regions of the West Bank
Take Action Now After decades consolidating their control over Area C, Israeli settlers are expanding into Areas B and A — nominally under…
Cory Booker Says Democrats Have ‘Failed This Moment’ And Calls For New Leaders
Take Action Now Senator’s comments come amid growing divisions within the party, which he says has ‘too small of a coalition’By José Olivares, The…