"Artists Boycott SXSW Over U.S. Military's Israel Support, SXSW Clashes with Texas Governor"

Over 80 musical acts and panelists have withdrawn from the South by Southwest Conference and Festivals in Austin, Texas, in protest of the U.S. military's support of Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. The boycott was prompted by the festival's sponsorship by the U.S. Army and defense companies, leading to widespread pressure against the military's involvement. Artists and speakers cited the increased presence of the U.S. Defense Department at the festival as a reason for their withdrawal, with some pointing to sponsorship by military defense contractors as their primary concern.