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
The Terrorists Are Running The U.S. Government
Take Action Now Trump seems like a random spasmodic imbecile, but what we are seeing is an extension of the ongoing, centuries-long shifting of power…
Elon Musk Decimated The Government And Saved Almost Nothing
Take Action Now Elon Musk’s cuts may have “saved” the public less than half a percent of the national debt, but they are already making Americans…
Will Corporate Media Call Out A Constitutional Crisis?
Take Action Now Corporate media is failing to rise to the moment and give an honest accounting of the damage being done to our Democracy.By Ari…
‘We Had To Fight’: Jamaal Bowman And Cori Bush Talk AIPAC
Take Action Now The two former members of Congress pull back the curtain on US politics to discuss lobbying, corruption, and more.By Team Zeteo,…