U.S. artists voice concerns over situation in Gaza amid anti
AUSTIN, the United States, March 12 (Xinhua) -- U.S. artists attending a festival in Austin, capital city of Texas, on Tuesday voiced their concerns about the presence of U.S. military in the state and U.S. support of Israel in Gaza.
The Austin for Palestine Coalition said on Tuesday that more than 60 artists, musicians and panelists, who participated in the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, have joined the coalition's campaign titled "War Mongers out of SXSW."
"We are an organization that welcomes diverse viewpoints ... We fully respect the decision these artists made to exercise their right to free speech," the coalition said in a statement.
Ealier on Tuesday, U.S. Texas Governor Greg Abbott told those artists to leave the festival and not to 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," the Republican governor wrote on social media platform X.
"If you don't like it, don't come here," he added.
"SXSW does not agree with Governor Abbotts," SXSW said in the statement. "The situation in the Middle East is tragic, and it illuminates the heightened importance of standing together against injustice."
SXSW, an annual festival spanning from new technologies and tendencies to film world premieres, individual music and XR (extended reality) experiences, runs from March 8 to 16 in Austin.
Related articles
Children are evacuated from school 'during an exam' after threat made via email
Children have been evacuated from a school with Year 11 students told to leave mid-exam after a thre2024-05-21Raleigh's 9th inning homer gives Mariners 5
HOUSTON (AP) — Cal Raleigh hit a tiebreaking solo home run in the ninth to give the Seattle Mariners2024-05-21I was 18 when I developed a niggling headache at work
Claudia Gill knew something was terribly wrong when she woke up dazed and confused, squinting under2024-05-21Sierra Nevada records snowiest day of the season
TRUCKEE, Calif. (AP) — A weekend spring storm that drenched the San Francisco Bay area and closed No2024-05-21Brazil replaces injured goalkeeper Ederson in Copa America squad
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazil coach Dorival Júnior has replaced injured goalkeeper Ederson with Sao P2024-05-21Urgent search for P&O cruise ship passenger feared to have fallen overboard near Sydney Harbour
A desperate air and sea search has been launched for a cruise ship passenger feared to have fallen o2024-05-21
atest comment