SXSW officially drops U.S. Army sponsors following protests for Palestine

The festival is also axing companies involved in weapons manufacturing.
By Chase DiBenedetto  on 
A glowing green screen on a stage that reads "Billboard. The stage at SXSW."
SXSW divests itself from military connections after a protest-filled 2024. Credit: Samantha Burkardt / Billboard via Getty Images

Annual innovation and entertainment festival SXSW is changing up its funding streams for next year's events, with the organization announcing it would stop taking sponsorship money from military affiliates.

The organization's brief official statement (found in its updated Music Showcase FAQ) reads:

After careful consideration, we are revising our sponsorship model. As a result, the U.S. Army, and companies who engage in weapons manufacturing, will not be sponsors of SXSW 2025.

In March, several notable musicians and celebrities condemned the festival for its ties to the U.S. Army and its historic backing of Israeli militarization, with more than 80 acts and panelists dropping out of the 2024 event in total.

Mashable Top Stories
Stay connected with the hottest stories of the day and the latest entertainment news.
Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!

Activists and attendees called out SXSW sponsors RTX (formerly Raytheon), Collins Aerospace, and BAE Systems, all weapons manufacturers, in addition to the U.S. Army's involvement (it was deemed a "Super Sponsor" of the festivities). "The defense industry has historically been a proving ground for many of the systems we rely on today," SXSW explained at the time. "These institutions are often leaders in emerging technologies, and we believe it’s better to understand how their approach will impact our lives."

Among those speaking out against the ties was Irish political rap group Kneecap, which wrote in a statement on X that they would be dropping out due to "solidarity with the people of Palestine and to highlight the unacceptable deep links the festival has to weapons companies and the U.S. military who at this very moment are enabling a genocide and famine against a trapped population."

In addition, local Austin, Texas, activist groups coordinated protest shows and an anti-SXSW rally featuring several of the boycotting artists.

SXSW responded to the criticism at the time, saying the organization “fully respect[ed] the decision these artists made to exercise their right to free speech.”

Chase sits in front of a green framed window, wearing a cheetah print shirt and looking to her right. On the window's glass pane reads "Ricas's Tostadas" in red lettering.
Chase DiBenedetto
Social Good Reporter

Chase joined Mashable's Social Good team in 2020, covering online stories about digital activism, climate justice, accessibility, and media representation. Her work also touches on how these conversations manifest in politics, popular culture, and fandom. Sometimes she's very funny.


Recommended For You

You can go live to your Close Friends on Instagram now
The Instagram logo is being displayed on a smartphone screen in Athens, Greece, on May 30, 2024.


A Pentagon-approved bot attack attempted to thwart global COVID-19 vaccinations, report finds
A gloved hand injects a needle into a person's upper arm.


Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 11
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

'Wordle' today: Here's the answer hints for July 11
a phone displaying Wordle


Webb telescope may have just revealed an alien world with air
A super-Earth orbiting a red dwarf star

'The Acolyte' keeps referencing 'The Last Jedi' — here's why
The Stranger on the unknown planet.
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!