Community Protests Against Closure of Kennedy Center

Thousands gathered outside the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, protesting President Donald Trump’s intentions for the facility. The protest, named “Hands Around the Kennedy Center,” included participants forming a human chain around the center.

Chris Raleigh, co-founder of Hands Off the Arts, hopes the demonstration will show determination against Trump’s plans. The Kennedy Center, a landmark on the Potomac River waterfront, has been part of Trump’s influence in Washington since 2025. Trump appointed members to its governing board and placed his name on the center, although a judge later ordered its removal.

Judge Christopher Cooper blocked the board’s vote to close the center for repairs and ordered a 30-day notice for major changes. Concerns remain that Trump might act without court notification.

“Look at the East Wing,” Raleigh warned. “There was a giant hole suddenly.”

Protesters expressed the significance of the Kennedy Center in the nation’s performing arts. Bud Wilkinson created a chalkboard for people to erase Trump’s name and replace it with hearts. He argued the issue involves censorship of performances, not mere name placement.

Alina Baciu noted the impact on Duke Ellington School of the Arts students, who benefited from connections with the center. The turmoil has disrupted their opportunities and performances.

Laura Steinberg, a longtime volunteer, compared the protest to Tiananmen Square, emphasizing the determination to protect the center. She mentioned Trump’s previous actions on the East Wing as a mobilizing factor.

This protest followed a week of legal challenges against the administration’s projects. Trump insisted from the Oval Office that saving the center is feasible but questioned the ongoing financial burden.