Thousands of people gathered outside the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to protest President Donald Trump's plans for the facility, lending their voices to a chorus of organisations and individuals who have 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.”

At one point some held hands and formed a human chain around the center.

Chris Raleigh, co-founder of Hands Off the Arts, which set up the gathering, said he hoped the event would show that people were willing to fight to keep Trump's plans for the building at bay.

One of the most iconic buildings on the Potomac River waterfront, the centre has been a focus of Trump’s remake of Washington since 2025, when he began installing favourites onto its governing board.

Late last year, he had his name placed on the centre.

A judge ruled that Trump’s name was illegally added and ordered it removed.

The centre's board, which is aligned with the president, voted on Tuesday to close the facility 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 centre to provide 30 days’ notice before making any major physical changes to the building, including demolishing it.

Raleigh said he, like others, is concerned that Trump could take the step without notifying the court. “Look at the East Wing,” he said.

“We got up one morning and there was a giant hole there.”

Raleigh said the Kennedy Center is more in the public eye than the East Wing was.

He added he doesn’t believe the president fully understands why people are so upset “but that’s our job right? This may be the line that no one expected but this is where the line is going to be.” (AP)



Edited by Tony Sabine