Thousands Protest Plans for Kennedy Center in Washington
Listen to the story
Thousands of people protested outside the Kennedy Center in Washington on Friday evening. They were reacting to fears that President Trump plans to demolish part of the arts institution.
The protest came after Trump was seen holding a placard that read: 'Kennedy Center DEMOLIS...' The message was not fully visible, but it added to public worry about the building's future.
During the protest, demonstrators could see the center's famous marble facade. However, the front of the building was covered by scaffolding and tarpaulins, hiding its usual appearance.
The Kennedy Center is a well-known institution in Washington. It hosts performances in music, theater, and dance, and is considered an important part of American cultural life.
People at the protest wanted to express their support for the center. Many are concerned that changes to the building could affect its role as a public space for the arts.
The exact details of Trump's plans have not been fully explained. But the sight of the president holding a sign mentioning demolition raised alarm among supporters of the institution.
The demonstration reflects wider public interest in how national cultural sites are managed and protected under the current administration.
Vocabulary8 words
- protested
- showed anger about something, often together with other people
- demolish
- to destroy a building completely
- placard
- a large sign with writing, often held up in public
- marble
- a hard, smooth stone often used for important buildings
- facade
- the front outside wall of a building
- scaffolding
- a metal structure put up around a building during work
- tarpaulins
- large, strong sheets used to cover things
- institution
- an important organization or building with a public purpose
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Quiz
Answer key
1. To protest fears of its demolition 2. 'Kennedy Center DEMOLIS...' 3. False
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Thousands of people _____ outside the Kennedy Center in Washington on Friday evening.
They were reacting to fears that President Trump plans to _____ part of the arts institution.
Trump was seen holding a _____ that read: 'Kennedy Center DEMOLIS...'
Demonstrators could see the center's famous _____ facade.
The front of the building was covered by _____ and tarpaulins.
The Kennedy Center is a well-known _____ in Washington.
It hosts performances in music, theater, and _____.
People at the protest wanted to express their _____ for the center.
Many are concerned that changes could affect its role as a public _____ for the arts.
The demonstration reflects wider public interest in national cultural _____.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think people were worried about the Kennedy Center's future?
- How important do you think cultural institutions like this are for a country?
- What effect can a president's public actions, like holding a placard, have on public opinion?
- Would you attend a protest to support a cultural building? Why or why not?
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