Thousands of demonstrators formed a human chain around the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, protesting a decision by a board appointed by US President Donald Trump to close the venue for repairs.
The “Hands Around the Kennedy Center” rally brought crowds to the Foggy Bottom neighbourhood on Friday evening, according to Al Jazeera. Traffic stopped as protesters made their way to the event, carrying signs and wearing costumes. Boos were heard when Trump was mentioned during the programme.
Some demonstrators linked hands around the building, whose marble exterior was partly covered by scaffolding and tarpaulins. Chris Raleigh, co-founder of Hands Off the Arts, the group that organised the rally, told The Associated Press that he hoped the turnout would demonstrate opposition to Trump’s plans for the landmark.
The protest came days after the Trump-installed board voted to close the centre for repairs expected to last as long as two years. The decision followed a ruling by District Judge Christopher Cooper that rejected the board’s latest attempt to restore Trump’s name to the building.
The dispute stems from Trump’s effort to assert control over the institution after returning to office. He replaced its board with his own appointees and installed himself as chairman. In December, the new board added his name to the facade, but a federal judge later ruled that the board had exceeded its legal authority because congressional approval was required to rename the institution, which Congress designated as a memorial to John F Kennedy.
The board tried again in August with wording crediting Trump with restoring and renovating the building. The same judge blocked that effort in September, ruling that it violated an earlier injunction. Trump has also declined to rule out demolishing the centre.
A federal judge on Thursday ordered the Kennedy Center to provide 30 days’ notice before major structural changes, including demolition. Trump has said repairs are needed to prevent the building from falling into disrepair and ultimately closing. Raleigh told Al Jazeera that he feared Trump could act without notifying the court, citing the administration’s earlier construction work at the White House’s East Wing.