"Musicians Withdraw from SXSW Over Military Sponsorships and Gaza Conflict"

Dozens of artists and speakers have pulled out of the ongoing South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, in protest of event sponsorship from the US military and defense companies amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. The boycotting artists, mainly small bands and indie performers, have cited solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and have announced their withdrawal from the festival on social media. The US Army is one of SXSW’s major sponsors, and at least three events have been sponsored by companies with ties to the defense industry. The festival organizers have defended their decision to accept these sponsors, while a rally over the issue is scheduled for Thursday evening outside a SXSW venue.