Protesters Form Human Chain Around Kennedy Centre After Board Votes Indefinite Closure
The board of the Kennedy Centre decided to shut down the facility indefinitely after a court halted efforts to restore Trump’s name to the building. Demonstrators flocked from the nearest subway station, filling the streets of the Foggy Bottom neighborhood in Washington and disrupting traffic as they participated in "Hands Around the Kennedy Centre." Many protesters carried signs, donned costumes, and expressed their disapproval when the president's name was mentioned during the event. Chris Raleigh, co-founder of Hands Off the Arts, stated in an interview that he hoped the gathering would demonstrate public resolve against Trump’s intentions for the centre. Since 2025, the Kennedy Centre, a landmark on the Potomac River, has been central to Trump’s vision for reshaping Washington.
Key facts
- The Kennedy Centre board voted to close the centre indefinitely.
- The closure vote followed a court decision blocking plans to return Trump's name to the building.
- Protesters gathered in the Foggy Bottom area of Washington, D.C.
- The protest was called "Hands Around the Kennedy Centre".
- Many participants carried signs, wore costumes, and booed when the president was mentioned.
- Chris Raleigh, co-founder of Hands Off the Arts, organized the gathering.
- Raleigh stated he hoped the event would demonstrate people's willingness to fight Trump's plans for the building.
- The Kennedy Centre, located on the Potomac River waterfront, has been a focus of Trump's remake of Washington since 2025, when he began installing favourites onto its governing board.
Entities
Artists
- Chris Raleigh
Institutions
- Kennedy Centre
- Hands Off the Arts
- Kennedy Center
- Trump administration
Locations
- Washington
- United States
- Foggy Bottom
- Potomac River
- Washington, D.C.