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SXSW adds voice to chorus of criticism against Trump’s travel ban

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By John Glenday, Reporter

January 31, 2017 | 2 min read

The South by Southwest festival has added its voice to a chorus of disapproval directed toward president Trump’s recently enforced travel ban, professing itself to be ‘alarmed’ by a measure which restricts travel from seven Muslim nations.

Organisers of the music/film and tech jamboree have joined colleagues from Silicon Valley and the entertainment worlds to disown the policy, mindful that it could have an impact on who can attend this year’s gathering in Austin, Texas.

In a statement organisers said: “SXSW is alarmed by the Trump administration’s decision to ban citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the U.S. We stand against discriminatory laws and unequivocally support civil rights for all persons everywhere. Participation by speakers, artists, and filmmakers from around the world is crucial to the creative mix of ideas that makes our event meaningful."

As of writing none of the scheduled performers at this year's SXSW hail from any of the affected countries; Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

Amongst the organisations to publicly condemn the travel ban are Nike, Google and Airbnb.

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