SXSW Ethical Policy Campaign for Artists
Call for SXSW to adopt ethical programming policies rejecting complicit sponsors and speakers involved in genocide and war crimes.
United Musicians and Allied Workers (UMAW), Austin for Palestine Coalition (AFP), and the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) are calling on SXSW to adopt meaningful ethical policies regarding programming and partnerships.
The campaign addresses concerns that SXSW continues to feature speakers and sponsors from companies complicit in Israel's genocide in Gaza and other grave violations of international law. Specific concerns include:
- Palantir: Provides military technology enabling Israel's operations in Gaza
- Barclays: Finances weapons manufacturers arming the genocide
- RealSense Inc: Israeli-based AI surveillance and biometrics company with ties to apartheid Israel's military infrastructure
- Amazon, Google, Microsoft: Tech companies identified as pressure targets for involvement in Israel's ongoing genocide
- Tony Blair: Featured as SXSW London speaker despite being credibly accused of war crimes for his role in the illegal Iraq War
- CIA: Featured in SXSW Austin 2026 panels
The campaign calls on SXSW to implement a model ethical policy that rejects sponsorship and programming from entities complicit in grave violations of international law, war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, racism, or racial violence. Artists are encouraged to demand this commitment before accepting any SXSW bookings.
This effort aligns with growing global support for cultural boycotts as nonviolent resistance, including over 5,000 film workers, 1,000+ independent musicians and labels, and 2,000+ Dutch and Belgian artists who have publicly committed to boycotts.