Texas governor Greg Abbott is slamming the artists boycotting SXSW as a result of competition’s U.S. Military sponsorship — however SXSW doesn’t need his help.

“Bands pull out of SXSW over U.S. Military sponsorship. Bye. Don’t come again,” Abbott wrote on X on Tuesday. “Austin stays the HQ for the Military Futures Command. San Antonio is Navy Metropolis USA. We’re pleased with the U.S. navy in Texas. When you don’t prefer it, don’t come right here.”

Abbott’s submit refers back to the many bands which have pulled out of SXSW’s music programming citing the U.S. navy’s relationship with Israel and its function within the ongoing violence in Gaza. Maybe most distinguished of the boycotting artists is Kneecap, the Irish band that stars within the comedic biopic of the identical title, who on Monday wrote that cancelling their look would have a “important monetary impression” on them however that “it isn’t an iota of hardship when put next with the unimaginable struggling being inflicted each minute of day-after-day on the individuals of Gaza.”

About two hours after Abbott’s feedback, the competition’s official Instagram account posted a press release in response.

“SXSW doesn’t agree with Governor Abbott,” the assertion reads. “We’re a company that welcomes various viewpoints. Music is the soul of SXSW, and it has lengthy been our legacy. We totally respect the choice these artists made to train their proper to free speech. Throughout the globe, we’re witnessing unspeakable tragedies, the rise of repressive regimes, and the rising unfold of violent battle. It’s extra essential than ever that we come collectively to resolve these higher humanitarian points.”

The assertion then goes on to clarify why the competition works with the navy.

“The protection trade has traditionally been a proving floor for most of the techniques we depend on right now,” it says. “These establishments are sometimes leaders in rising applied sciences, and we consider it’s higher to know how their strategy will impression our lives. The Military’s sponsorship is a part of our dedication to carry ahead concepts that form our world. In regard to Collins Aerospace, they participated this yr as a sponsor of two SXSW Pitch classes, giving entrepreneurs visibility and funding for probably game-changing work.”

The submit concludes: “Now we have and can proceed to help human rights for all. The state of affairs within the Center East is tragic, and it illuminates the heightened significance of standing collectively in opposition to injustice.”