Austin Pride meets with Palestinian advocates, commits to steps forward

Date:

Share post:


AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Pride said Saturday evening that it met with community leaders to discuss recent controversy over how it selects sponsors and allegations that it banned the Palestinian flag and pro-Palestinian symbols, according to a social media post.

PREVIOUS: Palestinian coalition wants conversation with Austin Pride about sponsors, symbols

In that post, Austin Pride said it met with leaders from the Austin For Palestine Coalition, Jewish Voices for Peace and other local community leaders.

“We acknowledge that we made a mistake and want to clarify that symbols of Palestine or pro-Palestinian liberation are not antisemitic or anti-Jewish,” the post reads. “We deeply regret how we handled this situation and sincerely apologize for the harm caused. We are saddened by the spread of anti-Palestinian rhetoric that has impacted queer, Palestinian, Arab, Muslim, Jewish and other communities.”

Austin Against Apartheid, one of the organizations represented at the meeting, issued a statement Saturday evening. That post thanked Austin Pride, and was shared by the Austin For Palestine Coalition and Austin with Palestine.

“After the meeting, Austin Pride has committed to evaluating its sponsors going forward ‘based on BDS criteria’ and to not working with the Anti-Defamation League. Thank you [Austin Pride] and welcome to the Apartheid-Free community!” the post reads.

BDS, or Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, is a political campaign organized by Palestinian activists. Pro-Israel groups have called the global campaign anti Semitic. Texas law prevents state and local governments from providing funding or contracting with businesses that “boycott Israel.”

Related: Despite protests, UT divestment from weapons unlikely

Austin Pride said it will evaluate future sponsors of the event “based on BDS criteria,” and that arms makers and “unethical corporations” will not be allowed to sponsor.

“We hope that this weekend and in the future, Austin Pride can be a space where everyone is welcome. We look forward to seeing you there!” concludes Austin Pride’s statement.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.





Source link

Alexandra Williams
Alexandra Williams
Alexandra Williams is a writer and editor. Angeles. She writes about politics, art, and culture for LinkDaddy News.

Recent posts

Related articles

More human remains from Philadelphia's 1985 MOVE bombing have been found at a museum

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Additional human remains from a 1985 police bombing on the headquarters of a Black...

Satire publication The Onion buys Alex Jones' Infowars at auction with help from Sandy Hook families

The satirical news publication The Onion won the bidding for Alex Jones' Infowars at a bankruptcy auction,...

Video appears to show a Ukrainian Leopard tank taking out a column of Russian armored vehicles

Ukraine released a video showing an attack on a Russian armored convoy.The brigade said a Leopard 2...

Iowa's list of the 35 lowest-performing schools now includes 12 from Des Moines

A dozen schools in Iowa's largest public school district have been identified by the state as "in...

At 8:21 a.m.: SpaceX set for Falcon 9 rocket launch from Florida’s Space Coast

SpaceX crews are preparing to launch a Falcon 9 rocket Thursday morning from Florida’s Space Coast.SpaceX is...

Sinkhole Swallows Motorcycles in Madrid After Water Pipe Breaks

A sinkhole caused by a burst water pipe forced a partial road closure in Madrid, Spain, on...

First-Ever Amber Discovered in Antarctica Shows Rainforest Existed Near South Pole

Imagine a time machine that could whisk you back to the age of the dinosaurs. Suddenly, you...

China's president will unveil a megaport in Peru, but locals say they're being left out

CHANCAY, Peru (AP) — On the edge of Peru’s coastal desert, a remote fishing town where a...