Protesters surround Kennedy Centre over Trump demolition fears

Thousands of people joined outside the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts on Friday evening 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 Centre”. Many carried signs, wore costumes and booed when the president was mentioned during the programme.

Chris Raleigh, co-founder of Hands Off the Arts, which set up the gathering, said in an interview that 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 Kennedy Centre has been a focus of Trump’s remake of Washington since 2025, when he began installing favourites onto its governing board.