Posted on 03/13/2024 7:32:34 AM PDT by simpson96
Texas Governor Greg Abbott hit out at musicians on Tuesday who are pulling out of the South by Southwest festival (SXSW) over the U.S. Army's sponsorship of the event, telling them "Don't come back" to the state.
The internationally recognized event brings thousands of visitors to Austin each March, showcasing music, film and interactive media. This year's festival is running from March 8-16 and includes live panels and special events. However, it comes amid heightened tensions in the U.S. and around the world due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
The U.S. is currently the foremost supplier of weapons to Israel, and several of those systems are being deployed in the conflict. The U.S. Army is also spearheading the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
On Tuesday, musicians including Kneecap, Lambrini Girls, Scowl, Gel, Okay Shalom, Squirrel Flower and Sprints began pulling out of SXSW in protest at the Army sponsorship. They were set to perform from March 11-16.
In a statement on X, Kneecap said, "We cannot in good conscience attend an arts festival that has the U.S. Army as a 'super sponsor,'" and cited the supply of arms to Israel.
The group added that backing out would have "a significant financial impact" on the group, "But it isn't an iota of hardship when compared to the unimaginable suffering being inflicted every minute, every day on the people of Gaza."
Abbott criticised the musicians on X, formerly Twitter, adding that Texas is proud of the U.S. military.
"Bands pull out of SXSW over U.S. Army sponsorship. 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," he wrote.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
Things may be different now but SXSW used to be attended primarily by gangs, pot-heads, and other scum-of-the earth types. Oh some innocents also attended but after a day or so most decided that playing Russian roulette was safer.
Most of the performers are D-list wannabees with a fan base measured in the 2-digit numbers.
But it has been a long time since I attended ... about 4 hours ... once. Never again.
Good on him. Don’t know what’s gotten into him, but Abbott has really come around to conservative values in the last few months. Not looking a gift horse in the mouth.
I’m sure their record labels appreciate the sacrifice.
WHO?
…”musicians including Kneecap, Lambrini Girls, Scowl, Gel, Okay Shalom, Squirrel Flower and Sprints…”
F’s given=0.00000
I think they were planes and the comment was directed toward Ron Silver.......I just can't remember who said it.
Who are these people??? Never heard of them.
“Kneecap, Lambrini Girls, Scowl, Gel, Okay Shalom, Squirrel Flower and Sprints”
Huh? Those are actual things? 🤔
Pinkos are the ungrateful petulant children we all know about. They rage at the system and everything they have and don’t know why.
“I just can’t remember who said it.”
I think it was attributed to PIAPS at B J Clinton’s first inaugural parade.
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