Thousands of people protested outside Washington's Kennedy Center on Friday over fears that 
Donald Trump could close or demolish it, as the president repeated his demand for "recognition" in return for saving the venue. Crowds streamed in from the nearest subway stop and filled the streets of Foggy Bottom for the event, called "Hands Around the Kennedy Center," and at one point some demonstrators held hands to form a human chain around the building, PBS NewsHour reported. Chris Raleigh, co-founder of the organizing group Hands Off the Arts, said he hoped the gathering would show that people are willing to fight to keep Trump's plans for the building at bay.
What led to the protest? The center's board, which is aligned with the president, voted Tuesday to close it indefinitely for repairs, hours after U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper blocked the board's plans to return Trump's name to the building, PBS NewsHour reported. A judge had earlier ruled that the name, placed on the center late last year, was added illegally and ordered it removed. On Thursday, Cooper ordered the center to give 30 days' notice before any major physical change to the building, including demolition.
What did protesters say? Raleigh said he worried Trump could act without notifying the court, citing the East Wing: "We got up one morning and there was a giant hole there." Bud Wilkinson, a local member of the arts community, set up a chalkboard with Trump's name written on it hundreds of times for protesters to erase and replace with hearts, saying the fight is also "about censoring the performances and the programming." Laura Steinberg, a volunteer of 10 years, said the loss of performances had already been heart-wrenching: "I'll stand in front of the wrecking ball if it's going to come to that."
What did the president say? Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said he was willing to save the center, which he said was losing money, but did not address a question about demolishing it. He said his administration "should be recognized as having saved the Kennedy Center," asking why it should otherwise "raise money for the rest of our lives to keep it afloat." His Friday afternoon assertion appears to mean he is holding fast to his demand that his name be added to the center "in some shape or form," The Hill wrote in an analysis column.
Figures referenced: Donald Trump. — JudgeMarket.
