SXSW Cuts Ties with Weapons Manufacturers and U.S. Army Following Protests and Boycotts

After facing backlash for their sponsorship choices, South by Southwest (SXSW) festival has announced they will no longer accept sponsorship from weapons manufacturers or the U.S. Army.

We are revising our sponsorship model. As a result, the US Army, and companies who engage in weapons manufacturing, will not be sponsors of SXSW 2025.
- SXSW Website

This decision comes in the wake of protests and boycotts led by artists and speakers at the 2024 festival, who stood in solidarity with Palestinians and against the defense industry's presence at SXSW.

Artist-led Boycotts Take Center Stage

A group of musicians, including Squirrel Flower (Ella Williams), Shalom, Mamalarky, TC Superstar, and Eliza McLamb, spearheaded themovement.

SXSW is platforming defense contractors including Raytheon subsidiaries as well as the US Army, a main sponsor of the festival.
- Ella Williams, Instagram

McLamb echoed similar sentiments on Twitter, stating:

I will never put my name on or perform my labor for an event in service of the US war machine, and especially not now as they continue to fuel the ongoing violence against Palestinians. Blood money has no place in music.