'“This decision will have a significant financial impact on Kneecap, both on lost income and on logistical costs already incurred,” the trio said in a statement. “But it isn’t an iota of hardship when compared to the [unimaginable] suffering being inflicted every minute of every day on the people of Gaza.”
As of Wednesday, at least 31,272 Palestinians had been killed in Israel’s operations in Gaza, the vast majority of them women and children, according to local authorities. The fighting has left the enclave on the brink of famine, with human rights groups accusing Israel of slowing the delivery of humanitarian aid.'
interesting to see Greg Abbott equate two privately-owned companies with the U. S. war machinery.
Just saw the new HBO #documentary The Truth vs Alex Jones. Moving and infuriating, extremely worth watching especially for the courtroom footage, even if you already follow stories/media about the conspiracy theorist. Fans of Knowledge Fight will particularly enjoy seeing Mark Bankston in action. #film#sxsw#Fascism#disinformation
Artists are pulling out of #SXSW due to its connection to #military and weapons contractors.
On the latest episode of #ThisIsAmerica, we spoke with #Austin locals about the current 'Smash by Smash West' counter-summit and why people are pushing back against #SXSW.
Protesters unfurled a banner and briefly chanted at the US Army booth inside of the #sxsw CREATIVE Expo at the #Austin Convention Center, demanding justice for #Palestine.
Unfortunately, ever since COVID nearly bankrupted SXSW, it seems like it's returned to suck the teat of whatever venture capital and sponsors are offering them.
Past years, we've seen this with web3 and blockchain. Now we're seeing it with AI.
I think if SXSW is to survive, it needs to disconnect from the hustle crowd, and reconnect with creators.
All 10 Irish bands listed as official Republic Of Ireland showcase artists at this year’s SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas have cancelled their participation after news that the US Army was listed as a festival “Featured Partner”, along with and defence companies RTX (formally Raytheon), Collins Aerospace, and BAE Systems.
The wave of cancelations include 70 additional bands from countries other than Ireland.
It's cute that groups are pulling out of #sxsw because of the US army being a sponsor and not the fact that the Texas government makes money off of it and has been causing pain to women, non-white, and queer people for years.
According to the Austin for Palestine Coalition, more than 80 performers or panelists have dropped out of SXSW in solidarity with the Palestinian people under attack by the Israeli government. They backed out of the prestigious showcase after finding out the events are sponsored by Israeli military ally the US Army and arms suppliers RTX (formerly Ratheon), BAE systems and L3Harris.
According to this article in The Guardian, the boycott began with Ella Williams aka Squirrel Flower after she was made aware of SXSW’s connections by an Instagram post by the Austin for Palestine Coalition.
“RTX is known to supply weapons to the Israeli government; on an earnings call in late October last year, RTX’s [Raytheon] chairman and executive director, Greg Hayes, was quoted as saying shareholders would “see a benefit” from increased demand for weapons during the war in Gaza.”
Among those withdrawing from SXSW over its financial connections with the genocide in Gaza are all musical acts from Ireland. These include Belfast hip hop artists Kneecap, who posted their denunciation on Xitter:
#SXSW movie review: Mogwai: If The Stars Had A Sound. Slow, slightly dreamy doc about the Scottish post-rock indie superstars that does't shed any particular light on what makes them tick. Not recommended, unless you love that band a LOT.
#SXSW movie review: Bob Trevino Likes It. Soft, funny drama about loneliness, father figures, and the only known incident of Facebook being a positive influence on anyone's life. Cried a lot during, which I usually dislike! But walked out feeling great. Recommended.
South By Southwest, the music, film and tech festival/conference is underway. If you're attending, check out this @Eater@Flipboard Storyboard, which has details on how to get the most from the event, plus where to eat in Austin.
Protesters just disrupted a #sxsw panel with Andre Dickens, mayor of #Atlanta, on behalf of the #StopCopCity movement. Dickens fled the panel, hounded by protesters, and it continued without him.
I was briefly detained by police and sxsw staff upon exiting the event. #Austin
“It was really funny watching Andre Dickens scramble outside, only to find more angry voices.”
For Deceleration (and my first byline there!), I covered yesterday's protest against #Atlanta's mayor on behalf of the #StopCopCity movement, which saw him fleeing his scheduled panel at #Austin's #SXSW festival. In addition to photos and video footage, I spoke to one of the activists who participated: