In a show of unity with the people of Gaza, several musicians from Ireland have withdrawn their participation from the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas. Their decision was influenced by the festival’s connection with the US army and a subsidiary of RTX Corporation, a renowned weapons manufacturer.
This includes Irish language rap band Kneecap, and bands Soda Blonde and Sprints. They have publicly highlighted their reasons for withdrawing, namely the festival’s linkage to the US army and presence of a company related to RTX Corporation.
Solo artist Gavin James also declared his decision to refrain from participating in the film, media, music, and culture festival.
Kneecap made their announcement on social media, cancelling three performances scheduled for the festival. They cited the festival’s ties to arms manufacturers and the US military, which they claim to be perpetuating famine and genocide, as unacceptable.
The group further stated they couldn’t in good faith attend the festival due to the US army’s sponsorship and the inclusion of RTX Corporation, previously known as Raytheon.
The US army has reportedly enlisted itself as a ‘super sponsor’ of the SXSW festival, as mentioned on the military’s website. Collins Aerospace, an RTX-owned subsidiary, plans a presence at the festival. RTX, known as one of the biggest global defence companies, reportedly supplies arms to the Israeli government.
Kneecap further criticized the organizations, accusing them of profiting from war crimes. They also condemned the festival’s organizers for integrating arts with military and arms companies, notably at a time when allegedly a US military-supported genocide is occurring.
Bands Soda Blonde and Sprints too, have withdrawn from the festival for analogous reasons. In a press release, Soda Blonde voiced their discomfort with the US army’s patronage of the event and its tie-ups with RTX Corporation, contending that it contrasts clearly with the band’s fundamental principles and values.
The recent data-sharing activity has raised serious apprehensions within our association, especially considering the perpetual humanitarian calamity in Palestine, a state only made worse by the US administration’s armament supply to Israel.
The action to incorporate bodies that are directly associated with the international armament industry, and summarily, the ongoing brutalities in Palestine are not just lack of sensitivity but morally outrageous.
Rock band Sprints from Dublin announced on Instagram their decision to withdraw from the festival as a demonstration of solidarity with Palestinians and a protest against the sponsorship of the US military and engagement of defence contractors.
Sharing his choice to exit the festival, Gavin James proclaimed that “music and art should always be in favour of peace and mankind”.
“Any event tied to the tools of war will never garner my support,” he declared.
Queries for comments were sent to both SXSW and RTX.
Various other international performers have removed themselves from the famous festival.
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