Artists, celebrities protest outside Kennedy Center against Trump takeover

Actor Jane Fonda and singer Joan Baez were among the most notable celebrities at a demonstration of musicians, actors and artists in front of the Kennedy Center building Friday to denounce what they described as threats to free speech during President Trump’s second term.

“We chose to hold today’s action in front of the John F. Kennedy Center because this beloved citadel has become a symbol of what is happening,” Fonda said. 

“The Committee of the First Amendment felt it was time to expose the range and depth of the attacks on the bedrock of our democracy, the First Amendment.” 

The event, called “Artists United for Our Freedoms,” was organized by the Committee for the First Amendment, a group started by Fonda’s father that she revived in October after ABC News temporarily suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show amid pressure from the government.

Performers and speakers at the event ranged from Fonda and Baez to actors Sam Waterston and Billy Porter, singer Maggie Rogers, former CNN correspondent Jim Acosta and acclaimed author Ann Patchett. 

The event comes as the Kennedy Center has come under increased control from the Trump administration since the beginning of his term. Trump has overhauled the center’s board and named himself chair, placed his own name on the side of the building and announced the center would be closing for two years to undergo renovations.

The changes have led to a wave of musicians, dancers and singers canceling their performances at the venue and resulted in a significant drop in ticket........

© The Hill