Governor Abbott and SXSW Clash Over Festival Sponsorships and Free Speech

Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the SXSW festival engaged in a public spat regarding as many as 60 bands pulling out of the Austin-based festival. The withdrawal comes as a protest against the festival's ties to the U.S. Army and the involvement of defense contractors in some of its conference programs.

Governor's Response

Abbott took to his personal Twitter feed to express his stance, stating, “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.”

SXSW's Response

SXSW, in response to Abbott's comments, expressed disagreement, emphasizing that it “welcomes diverse viewpoints” and respects the artists' decision to exercise their right to free speech.

Festival Controversy

The festival has faced criticism for its sponsor ties to the U.S. Army, with the inclusion of defense contractors such as Raytheon, Collins Aerospace, and BAE Systems, as well as agencies like the CIA and NSA in its conference events. This has led to a call from the Austin for Palestine Coalition to disinvite the companies and re-evaluate the involvement of DOD agencies in festival events and discussions.

Boycott Endorsement

The United Musicians and Allied Workers organization has endorsed the boycott, and more than 60 bands and musicians have dropped out of the music festival which began on Monday and will continue through March 16.

Festival Ownership

It's important to note that SXSW is partially owned by P-MRC Holdings, a joint venture of Deadline parent company Penske Media Corporation and MRC.

SXSW's Official Response

“We are an organization that welcomes diverse viewpoints. Music is the soul of SXSW, and it has long been our legacy. We fully respect the decision these artists made to exercise their right to free speech. Across the globe, we are witnessing unspeakable tragedies, the rise of repressive regimes, and the increasing spread of violent conflict. It’s more crucial than ever that we come together to solve these greater humanitarian issues."The defense industry has historically been a proving ground for many of the systems we rely on today. These institutions are often leaders in emerging technologies, and we believe it’s better to understand how their approach will impact our lives. The Army’s sponsorship is part of our commitment to bring forward ideas that shape our world. In regard to Collins Aerospace, they participated this year as a sponsor of two SXSW Pitch categories, giving entrepreneurs visibility and funding for potentially game-changing work. We have and will continue to support human rights for all. The situation in the Middle East is tragic, and it illuminates the heightened importance of standing together against injustice.”

Film & TV Festival

The SXSW Film & TV Festival will run from March 8-16, providing a platform for filmmakers and TV creators to showcase their work.