Following President Donald J. Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center, a petition has been created to put pressure on the institution’s new board and administration.

The petition, which has already acquired over 4,000 signatures as of this writing, notes, “The Kennedy Center belongs to all Americans. President Trump’s unprecedented decision to fire board members over drag performances threatens not just drag art, but the fundamental promise that our national cultural institutions reflect the full diversity and creativity of our nation.”

It added, “We demand: Protection of artistic independence at the Kennedy Center, Public commitment to programming that reflects America’s full diversity, and Clear policy preventing political interference in artistic decisions.”

The petition also noted, “The Kennedy Center has long celebrated America’s diverse cultural heritage. Targeting board members over drag performances sends a chilling message about who gets to create art and whose stories deserve to be told.”

On Feb. 12, President Donald J. Trump was confirmed as a board chair and installed loyalists to his board including Dan Scavino, Usha Vance, and Susie Wiles. As a result, Shonda L. Rhimes, Renee Fleming, and Ben Folds resigned from their positions.

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