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.
Ohio judge to rule Monday on whether the state’s abortion ban stands
Iran condemns sanctions by US, Britain, Canada
Maryland officials release timeline, cost estimate, for rebuilding bridge
Not so Cool Britannia! Noel Gallagher gives damning verdict on Keir Starmer
SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft returns to Earth with scientific experiments
Lawmakers in Serbia elect new government with pro
Trump accepts a VP debate but wants it on Fox News. Harris has already said yes to CBS
Wisconsin tries to regain supremacy in the trenches under its 4th O
Verona confirms Serie A status for another year after beating Salernitana
Experts urge stronger support for biodiversity conservation