Thousands of people joined together outside the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts on Friday evening to protest President Trump's plans for the facility, lending their voices to a chorus of organizations and individuals who've been horrified that he might make good on his threat to close and tear down the storied institution. The crowd streamed in from the nearest subway stop, crowding streets in the Foggy Bottom area of Washington and locking down traffic as they walked, many carrying signs, as they joined in "Hands Around the Kennedy Center," per the AP. At one point, some actually held hands and formed a human chain around the center.
Speakers included actor Lynda Carter (aka Wonder Woman), as well as multiple politicians, including Rep. Don Beyer of Virginia and Illinois Rep. Jonathan Jackson, reports USA Today. Chris Raleigh of Hands Off the Arts, which set up the gathering, said he hoped the event would show that people are willing to fight to keep Trump's plans for the building at bay. One of the most iconic buildings on the Potomac River, the Kennedy Center has been a focus of Trump's remake of DC since 2025, when he began installing favorites onto its governing board. Late last year, he had his named placed on the center. A judge ruled that Trump's name was illegally added and ordered it removed.
The Kennedy Center board, which is aligned with the president, voted on Tuesday to close the center indefinitely for repairs hours after US District Judge Christopher Cooper blocked their plans to return Trump's name to the building. On Thursday, the judge ordered the Kennedy Center to provide 30 days' notice before making any major physical changes to the building, including demolishing it. Bud Wilkinson, a local member of the arts community, set up a chalkboard with Trump's name written on it hundreds of times. Protesters flocked to him to erase the names and replace them with hearts.
"The Kennedy Center is vital to the arts in Washington. We need it. We need this," Wilkinson said. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said he was willing to save the center, which he said was losing money. He didn't address a question about demolishing it. "We have a lot of people working very hard on it to save it," he said. "I can save it easily, but why should we be doing that and then raise money for the rest of our lives to keep it afloat? Because that's what you have to do, if we get no recognition. I think the Trump administration should be recognized as having saved the Kennedy Center." More here.
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