[ad_1]
\n<\/p>\n
Several musicians have pulled out of SXSW<\/a> events and showcases in protest of the festival\u2019s connections to the U.S. Army and Collins Aerospace (a subsidiary of the defense contractor RTX Corporation). Among the artists to remove themselves from the festival are Squirrel Flower<\/a>, Mamalarky<\/a>, Shalom<\/a>, and Irish rap trio Kneecap<\/a>, all of whom are protesting the United States and RTX\u2019s support for Israel in the war in Gaza.<\/p>\n Texas\u2019 governor, Greg Abbott, chastised<\/a> the acts who are protesting the festival, and SXSW has now responded<\/a> that it \u201cdoes not agree with Governor Abbott\u201d and that it supports the artists\u2019 decisions to drop out of the Austin events.<\/p>\n Explaining its associations with the U.S. Army and Collins Aerospace, SXSW wrote, \u201cThe Army\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n The festival\u2019s statement concludes: \u201cThe situation in the Middle East is tragic, and it illuminates the heightened importance of standing together against injustice.\u201d<\/p>\n Ellen Lovett, an Army spokeswoman, said in a statement to Stars and Stripes<\/em><\/a>, \u201cWe\u2019re proud to be a sponsor of SXSW, and to have the opportunity to showcase America\u2019s Army. SXSW presents a unique opportunity for the Army to meet technology innovators and leaders, explore new ideas and insights, and create dynamic industry partnerships as we modernize for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n The United States is Israel\u2019s top military backer, as BBC Newsbeat<\/a> notes. RTX Corporation, in particular, is also known to supply weapons<\/a> to Israel.<\/p>\n