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.
Six killed in a 'foiled coup' in Congo, the army says
Helping Design China's First Large Passenger Aircraft
Enjoying Life near Beijing Central Axis
Heartwarming moment driver saves dog from being run over by bringing traffic to a halt on busy six
Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to Maryland ban on rifles known as assault weapons
Dream Comes True for Determined Disabled Student
Young Policewoman Fulfils Her Passion as Police Dog Trainer
Renters now pay an extra £5,993 a year in rent and energy bills compared to a decade ago
Yu Darvish extends scoreless innings streak to 25 in Padres' 9
Multiethnic Family's Virtues Nourish Younger Generations
Britain's new bonkers EV: Callum Skye is an £80k electric buggy built in Warwickshire
Paris 2024 unveils volunteer uniforms