{
  "id": 8368024,
  "title": "Thousands join protest outside Kennedy Center, expressing concern that Trump might tear it down",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/thousands-join-protest-outside-kennedy-center-expressing-concern-that-8368024",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-19T01:49:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CityNews",
    "slug": "citynews",
    "url": "https://toronto.citynews.ca/2026/09/18/thousands-join-protest-outside-kennedy-center-expressing-concern-that-trump-might-tear-it-down/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Outside the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Friday evening, thousands of people gathered in protest of President Donald Trump's plans for the facility. The crowd, which streamed in from the nearest subway stop and crowded the streets in Foggy Bottom, formed a human chain around the center and held signs expressing their concern. Chris Raleigh, co-founder of Hands Off the Arts, expressed hope that the event would demonstrate people's willingness to fight against Trump's plans. The Kennedy Center, a landmark of performing arts, has been a target of Trump's remodeling of Washington since 2025. Last year, he had his name added to the center's governing board, which was later ruled illegal. A judge recently blocked Trump's plans to return his name and ordered 30 days' notice before any major changes to the building. Protesters emphasized the center's importance to the arts in Washington and the potential impact on students who had benefited from its resources. Laura Steinberg, a volunteer for the center, compared the situation to the Tiananmen Square protest, saying she would stand in front of a wrecking ball if necessary. President Trump, speaking from the Oval Office, stated he would save the center, which he said was losing money, but did not address the possibility of demolishing it.",
  "summary": "WASHINGTON (AP) — Thousands of people joined outside the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Friday evening to protest President Donald Trump's plans for the facility, lending their voices to a chorus of organizations and individuals who have been horrified that he might make good on his threat to close and tear down the storied institution.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Trump defends bid to put his name on the Kennedy Center",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/trump-defends-bid-to-put-his-name-on-the-kennedy-center",
        "published": "2026-09-18T22:13:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Protesters surround Kennedy Centre over Trump demolition fears",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/protesters-surround-kennedy-centre-over-trump-demolition-fears",
        "published": "2026-09-19T02:50:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}