Drag performers lead DC protest against Trump’s Kennedy Center takeover

The Manila Times

Drag performers lead DC protest against Trump’s Kennedy Center takeover  Hundreds of demonstrators, led by drag performers, marched from Washington Circle to the Kennedy Center in D.C. on Saturday, March 8, to protest US President Donald Trump’s takeover of the institution and his appointment of administration officials as its programming chiefs.  In February, just weeks after taking office, Trump fired the Kennedy Center’s president, replaced its board of trustees, and named himself chairman — effectively seizing control of the renowned cultural institution, home to the National Symphony Orchestra, the Washington National Opera, and the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors.  Before the march, drag king and protest organizer Lord Henry emphasized the event’s goal of reinstating queer programming at the center.   REUTERS VIDEO  Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe   Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net   Follow us:  Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook  Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram  Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter  DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion   Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital   Check out our Podcasts:  Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify  Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts  Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic  Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer  Tune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein  #TheManilaTimes #worldnews  #dragqueen  #donaldtrump

Transcript

00:00But we are here to protest the hostile takeover of our National Arts Center, the Kennedy Center,

00:17which has already been purged of any programming deemed queer or DEI related.

00:22We demand that the Kennedy Center Board reinstate queer programming, including but not limited

00:27to drag oriented workshops and shows and any other equity and DEI initiatives at the

00:32Kennedy Center.

00:33We want to force Congress to drop the multiple attempts at criminalizing gender nonconformity,

00:39including Trump's executive order conflating sex and gender and the attack on drag artists

00:45through budget amendments, denying funds to organizations, supporting and protecting this

00:49queer art form, as well as so much more.

00:52We will overcome this.

00:53It's only for years.

00:54We will, we will reverse whatever happens.

00:56We will reverse.

00:57We are here to support each other together.

00:59Let's march and let's fight, right?

01:27Our streets, our streets, our streets, our streets, our streets are under attack for

01:53far too long.

01:54The bravery it takes to pull this event together is truly inspiring.

01:57So thank you all so much for doing this seriously.

02:00This is our stage.

02:01They say we don't belong.

02:02They are wrong.

02:03Our art is not a crime.

02:04Say it with me.

02:05Our art is not a crime.

02:06One more time.

02:07Our art is not a crime.

02:08Our art is not a crime.

02:38Our art is not a crime.

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Transcript

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