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In response to concerns from numerous artists who withdrew from the 2024 event, SXSW has discontinued its partnership with the US Army and Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of weapons manufacturer RTX Corporation, formerly known as Raytheon, for its 2025 festival. The film, culture and tech festival, held each March in Austin, Texas posted the following statement on their website:
“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.”
It’s a brief statement by SXSW and credit needs to be given to music media outlets who picked this up late yesterday. 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. Indeed Irish artists took a collective decision with all scheduled participants withdrawing from official showcases. It’s a dramatic outcome from the biggest festival of its kind globally, and demonstrates the power of collective action.
For link to SXSW statement please check here.
For link to full information on collective boycott by Irish artists please check here.
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