Thousands Rally for the Kennedy Center’s Future
By • September 21, 2026 0 385
Thousands met in front of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on the evening of Sept. 18 to shout, “Hands off!” History was made as the Hands Around the Kennedy Center demonstrators gathered to form a human chain to protest demolition threats and called for protection of the beloved arts institution. Organized by Hand Off the Arts and Tara Hoot, the rally’s numbers and social media impact surprised many.
Supporters of the arts and of the rule of law met neighbors and friends that night in support of the memorial that honors the assassinated 35th president of United States. Many have lifelong memories of the arts center; many created new ones on Friday.
P Street resident Constance Chatfield-Taylor told The Georgetowner: “We walked to the Kennedy Center demonstration on Friday, merging into a stream of hundreds of people on the sidewalk.
“When walking up the steps, I turned around and noticed a woman in tears, by herself. I slowed down and walked with her and asked if she was okay. We stopped in front of the main door, and she collected herself. She said she was from San Diego and in Washington for an Arts Council meeting she attends each year.
“‘I stayed an extra day, to go to museums and come here,’ she said. ‘I had a wonderful day.’ She paused, looking at the tarp over the front door. ‘I didn’t expect this reaction, I just didn’t, but I can’t help it. It’s all so unsettling, I feel helpless.’
“‘We care,’ she said emphatically. ‘We care, even if we don’t see it every day, even if it’s not in our city. It means so much more, what’s happening.’
“‘We care.’
“The program had started so it was difficult to hear each other. I squeezed her arm and said goodbye and walked into the crowd to find my friends.”
Author Kitty Kelley said, “The clarion sounded, and the community responded. The drag queen, Tara Hoot, was a spectacular emcee, who rallied us all — and there were hundreds and hundreds— to stand tall, and join hands as we wrapped ourselves around our beloved Kennedy Center, to protect it from a tyrant’s destruction.”
“I was astounded at seeing the thousands of people who showed up,” said former Georgetown Advisory Neighborhood Commission Chair Tom Birch. “This was a real massive demonstration of local residents making the point: the president should pay attention to the mess he has made across the United States and around the world, and keep his hands off our treasured local institutions.”
One of the event’s organizers, drag performer Tara Hoot. Photo by Bill Starrels.
Photo by Robert Devaney.
Photo by Robert Devaney.
Photo by Robert Devaney.
Photo by Bill Starrels.
Photo by Robert Devaney.
