AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Pride said Saturday night 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 post on social media.
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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 recognize that we made a mistake and want to clarify that symbols of Palestine or pro-Palestinian liberation are not anti-Semitic or anti-Jewish,” the post reads. “We deeply regret the way 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 on Saturday night. This post thanked Austin Pride and was shared by the Austin For Palestine Coalition and Austin with Palestine.
“Following the meeting, Austin Pride committed to evaluating its sponsors going forward ‘based on BDS criteria’ and not working with the Anti-Defamation League. Thanks [Austin Pride] and welcome to the apartheid-free community!” the post says.
BDS, or Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, is a political campaign organized by Palestinian activists. Pro-Israel groups called the global campaign anti-Semitic. Texas law prevents state and local governments from providing funding or hiring companies that “boycott Israel.”
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Austin Pride said it will evaluate future event sponsors “based on BDS criteria” and that gun manufacturers and “unethical companies” 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’ll wait for you there!” concludes the Austin Pride statement.
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