Irish artists withdraw from SXSW festival over US support for 'Israel'
3 Min Read
Mo Chara of the Kneecap band says the decision to boycott came after the US Army was revealed to be the “super” sponsor.
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An image from the South x South West set (X/SXSW)
Irish artists, such as Soda Blonde and Mick Flannery, have withdrawn their acts from South by Southwest (SXSW) to protest the US army being a sponsor of the festival in Austin, Texas, citing US support for "Israel’s" genocide in Gaza, the Press Association (PA) reported.
An Enterprise Ireland-led delegation is still partaking while Irish Culture Minister Catherine Martin stated she will still attend despite the boycott calls.
In response, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns called it “deeply disturbing” that the Culture Minister intends to go, while People Before Profit Teachta Dála's Paul Murphy argued it is “nothing short of shameful."
However, Martin claims she respects musicians’ freedom of expression and that her visit is “to make clear her revulsion at the devastation that has been unleashed on Gaza."
Read next: Gaza ceasefire takes center stage at 2024 Oscars
Mo Chara of the Kneecap band said the decision to boycott came after the US army was revealed to be the “super” sponsor and that companies that manufacture weapons will be delivering speeches.
“I think it was a no-brainer once the information started coming to light, and we just made the decision, because it’s good to be on the right side of history as Irish people,” he said on RTÉ Radio.
“I was very, very proud to see a lot of bands follow suit and that the Irish people will always be in solidarity with the Palestinian people", he added, noting, “If I know my fans like I think I do, I think they’ll be very much supportive of our decision.”
The band took to social media platform X to announce their statement regarding their decision.
We will not be appearing at @sxsw festival. 👇 pic.twitter.com/nt5hEMH2GM
— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) March 10, 2024
Meanwhile, Texas Governor Greg Abbott unleashed his views regarding the withdrawals on X and showed pride in Texas being home to "Military City USA."
Bands pull out of SXSW over U.S. Army sponsorship.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) March 12, 2024
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.
https://t.co/t3RyQgLRKN
San Antonio, Texas, is the exact place in which former US Air Force member Aaron Bushnell was stationed before he self-immolated outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington to protest the US' unwavering support of "Israel's" war on Gaza.
This is taking place as the Ministry of Health in Gaza reported today that the number of Palestinians killed in the Israeli aggression on Gaza since October 7 has risen to 31,272 and those injured to 73,024 amid the ongoing Israeli genocide against Gaza.
