[ [link removed] ]SIGN: Protect free expression! Stop the political takeover of the
Kennedy Center!

Dear MoveOn member, 

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is the nation's stage
and belongs to all Americans. It's the place where our commitment to free
speech for all people should be on full display. President Trump's
unprecedented decision to fire board members over drag and "anti-American"
performances threatens not just drag art but the fundamental promise that
our national cultural institutions reflect the full diversity and
creativity of our nation.^1 That's why Qommittee is joining forces with
MoveOn to push back. 

[ [link removed] ]Will you sign the petition to protect free speech and defend the
Kennedy Center from Trump's far-right takeover?

Donald Trump has never even seen a performance at the Kennedy Center. But
that didn't stop him from declaring himself chairman.^2 All because, out
of thousands of performances every year, the Kennedy Center also hosts
drag shows and brunches. This is not only political theater meant to
distract the public from Trump's otherwise unpopular barrage of orders and
directives—it's censorship, plain and simple.

Drag is a beautiful and joyful form of self-expression that has brought
people together and built community for centuries. Qommittee is a national
network of drag performers—and the people who support them—fighting back
against the increase in threats, attacks, and violence facing drag
communities across the country. We won't let them silence or erase us.

Our national cultural institutions should be free from any political
interference that targets specific art forms or communities. When the
government starts banning certain types of performances from our stages,
it sets a dangerous precedent for all artistic expression.

[ [link removed] ]As drag artists, we refuse to allow art and freedom of expression to be
stifled! Add your name NOW to join us as we fight back against Trump's
attempts to take over the Kennedy Center.

All of our stories deserve to be told on America's stage! Help SAVE the
Kennedy Center from Trump's extreme and unprecedented control. 

[4]Sign the petition

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.

Americans don't have to agree on everything, but our right to freedom of
expression means we deserve to perform our art without bans, retaliation,
or intimidation.

We're demanding that the board of the Kennedy Center publicly commit to
protecting the artistic independence of the Center, providing programming
that reflects America's full diversity, and implementing policies that
will prevent Trump's political interference in artistic decision-making. 

[ [link removed] ]Add your name to the petition if you agree that we must keep the
Kennedy Center a creative space for artistic expression—not a vehicle for
propaganda!

Trump's takeover of the Kennedy Center puts an unnecessary target on our
communities, stoking anti-drag hate and making us all less safe. And for
what purpose? The things that Americans actually need—cheaper everyday
items, affordable housing and health care, and a sense of safety—will not
be impacted by specific performances that happen at the Kennedy Center.

But the freedoms of everyday Americans will be impacted. We should all be
concerned when the government begins to silence and censor art. 

Making this a priority in his first month as president sends a chilling
message to artists, performers, and creators from not only the LGBTQIA+
community but all marginalized voices. And it gives the White House
dangerous control over what kind of art is created, shared, and
experienced.

If we let Trump assume control over the Kennedy Center, what will he turn
to next? We don't want to find out.  

[ [link removed] ]Click here to add your name to our petition, and then share with three
friends to help save the Kennedy Center from Trump's takeover!

Thanks for all you do.

–Blaq Dinamyte and the team at Qommittee

Sources: 

1. "Drag group slams Donald Trump for takeover of Kennedy Center board and
vowing to end drag shows," The Advocate, February 10, 2025
[ [link removed] ][link removed]

2. "'I get reports' | Trump says he has never seen a Kennedy Center
performance after vowing to name himself chair," WUSA 9, February 10, 2025
[link removed]

You're receiving this petition because we thought it might interest you.
It was created on MoveOn.org, where anyone can start their own online
petitions. You can [ [link removed] ]start your own petition here.

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to give up. But we will not give them what they want. We will never stop
working to defend our fundamental freedoms and protect our democracy.
MoveOn has been leading the movement against right-wing extremism for 26
years, and we promise you that we will still be here every step of the way
forward.

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