A small vocal segment of the fandom is calling for a Star Wars Celebration boycott. The 2027 event is being organized by ReedPop, a subsidiary of RELX. The protesters argue that since RELX holds government contracts that work directly with the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Star Wars community is being “used as a shield for corporate complicity in state violence.”
❗️❗️ATTENTION STAR WARS FANS ❗️❗️
There is no room for fascism in this fandom. Every fan deserves to feel safe and welcomed to events. There is no excuse for working with an organization profiting from ICE. Do not support Star Wars Celebration until they change organizers.… pic.twitter.com/sXfGPEN2su
— 𝓔𝓶 ♡ (@emkenobi) January 26, 2026
In an ActionNetwork.org petition, the group Star Wars Celebration: Divest from ICE says that Star Wars is about “the fight against systemic oppression, surveillance,” and government overreach. They feel that RELX is profiting from those actions in the real world.
To better understand the controversy, it helps to look at how Star Wars Celebration is organized and who is responsible for producing the event.
Star Wars Celebration and ReedPop
Star Wars Celebration describes itself as the “ultimate fan experience.” At the event, Disney and Lucasfilm make announcements, there are celebrity appearances and panels, merchandise, and fan experiences. It’s designed as a worldwide gathering for fans to celebrate the franchise’s past and future. Past Celebration events have official teaser releases and the announcements for new TV and film projects.
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 07: Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy onstage during the studio panel at Star Wars Celebration 2023 attends the studio panel at Star Wars Celebration 2023 in London at ExCel on April 07, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Kate Green/Getty Images for Disney)
Launched in 2006, ReedPop and Lucasfilm have coordinated on the event since Star Wars Celebration V in 2010. As the world’s largest producer of pop culture events, the company has also worked with Marvel, DC, Wizards of the Coast, Nintendo, and others. ReedPop also notes its work with St. Jude’s and Make-A-Wish.
Past frustrations with Star Wars Celebration have centered around the creative direction of the franchise, release and promotion of the films, and accessibility and organization of the event. This current controversy, however, has taken on a political aspect.
The boycott organizers have outlined a specific set of grievances and expectations.
The Demands
Organizers calling for a boycott of Star Wars Celebration 2027 have traced the ownership of ReedPop to RELX Group. Among its various properties, RELX also owns LexisNexis, which the boycotters note “currently holds multimillion-dollar contracts with ICE” and gives the government access to certain surveillance tools. They argue that the event “is currently compromised, as the profits generated fuel the machinery of oppression and deportation.”
The planet Naboo being blockaded by the Trade Federation in Star Wars – YouTube, Tom0
Using the hashtag #StarWarsDivest, their petition has three demands:
- Immediately terminate the contract with ReedPop as the producer of Star Wars Celebration 2027 and all future projects.
- Implement an enforceable vendor policy that prohibits Disney and Lucasfilm from partnering with any entity that maintains contracts with agencies involved in mass surveillance or “human rights violations.”
- Commit to transparency and social responsibility by finding an event producer for 2027 that aligns with “basic human rights” and protects fan safety and privacy.
At the time of this writing, they are nearly halfway to their goal of one thousand signatures.
What Do Fans Want?
The main objective of the Star Wars Celebration boycott ultimately appears to be protecting the legacy and reputation of the beloved franchise.
Luke Skywalker watches the Tatooine sunset in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope – YouTube, Collective Culture
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However, many fans feel that the brand itself has been irreparably damaged by poor creative decisions, which they view as attempts to appeal to modern sensibilities over timeless and universal themes. Any efforts to draw Star Wars—for many, an escape from the real world—into current politics may be of small concern to those who just want more great stories told in a galaxy far, far away.
What do you think of the Star Wars Celebration boycott? Sound off in the comments!
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