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Protesters form human chain outside Kennedy Center over Trump-backed closure

visibility comment0 event September 19, 2026 timer 13:25

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Joining arm in arm, thousands of protesters partially surrounded the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in a demonstration against a decision close the Washington, DC icon for two years.

The protesters gathered as the sun set on Sept. 18, three days after the decision came down from the center’s board, which was hand-picked by President Donald Trump. The move followed a federal judge’s second ruling that Trump’s name could not be added to the building, culminating months of legal dispute as the president contended that the center needed to be renovated, that only he could raise the money for it, and that his administration should be recognized for it.

"Don’t lay a finger on JFK’s memorial," said Chris Crowley, co-founder of Hands Off the Arts, which organized Friday’s rally.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/09/18/protesters-chain-kennedy-center-trump-jfk-arts/91834538007/

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