Cinema VinesOn Friday evening, thousands gathered outside the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., to protest President Donald Trump’s alleged plans to close and demolish the iconic cultural landmark. The protest, organized by Hands Off the Arts, was part of a broader chorus of organizations and individuals who have expressed horror at the possibility of the President fulfilling his threat to tear down the institution.
Attendees streamed in from the nearest subway stop, crowding the Foggy Bottom streets and effectively locking down traffic as they walked toward the Kennedy Center. Many carried signs, wore costumes, and booed whenever Trump was mentioned during the rally, which was dubbed “Hands Around the Kennedy Center.” Chris Raleigh, co‑founder of the group, said he hoped the event would demonstrate that people are willing to fight to keep Trump’s plans at bay.
Trump’s interest in the Kennedy Center dates back to 2025, when he began installing his allies on its governing board. In late 2024 he had his name placed on the building, a move that was later declared illegal by a judge who ordered the removal of his name. The board, aligned with the president, voted on Tuesday to close the center indefinitely for repairs hours after U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper blocked their attempt to reinstate Trump’s name. On Thursday, the judge ordered the Kennedy Center to provide 30 days’ notice before making any major physical changes, including demolition.
Raleigh expressed concern that Trump could proceed without court notification, citing an incident where a “giant hole” appeared in the East Wing overnight. He noted that the Kennedy Center’s prominence makes it more vulnerable than the East Wing, and that the president may not fully grasp why people are upset. “This may be the line that no one expected, but this is where the line is going to be,” he said.
Protesters highlighted the center’s role as the pinnacle of the nation’s performing‑arts world. Bud Wilkinson, a local arts community member, set up a chalkboard with Trump’s name written hundreds of times. Participants gathered to erase the names and replace them with hearts, underscoring the sentiment that the Kennedy Center is vital to Washington’s arts scene. Wilkinson emphasized that the issue extends beyond Trump’s name to concerns about censorship of performances and programming.
Alina Baciu spoke about the opportunities and relationships that students at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts have with the Kennedy Center, further illustrating the institution’s importance to the community. The protest underscored a broader fear that Trump’s involvement could lead to the loss of a cultural treasure and the suppression of artistic expression.
