As I’m sure you know, President Donald Trump recently (and controversially) slapped his own name on the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, in Washington, D.C.
All-star jazz ensemble the Cookers was scheduled to play, but they’ve just shared that they’re backing out of the gig and released a statement sharing why.
The band wrote, “Jazz was born from struggle and from a relentless insistence on freedom: freedom of thought, of expression, and of the full human voice. Some of us have been making this music for many decades, and that history still shapes us. We are not turning away from our audience, and do want to make sure that when we do return to the bandstand, the room is able to celebrate the full presence of the music and everyone in it. Our hope is that this moment will leave space for reflection, not resentment.”
Online, people are applauding the band’s decision:
And making jokes about the Kennedy Center’s future under Trump:
Including some jokes that seem extremely plausible:
Almost too plausible, in fact:
We’ll keep you posted if any of them come true.