Trump is no JFK

A sign at the protest Sept. 18, 2026 to save the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts/By Patricia Leslie


Thank you for your attention to this matter!

Thousands turned out Friday night at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to join hands and form a human chain around the JFK building and listen briefly to politicians and others decry Trump's attempt to destroy the city by erecting ugly monuments and slapping his name on the ones which still stand before he tears them down.

"Hands Off the Arts" quickly called for a protest after Trump's plans to destroy the Kennedy Center surfaced in a photo through an airplane window. (May that photographer be nominated for the Pulitzer.)

Thousands gathered and police kept a low profile. The trio of National Guard members usually found at the Foggy Bottom Metro station were nowhere to be seen nor were any Guard members present Friday night at the KC, which, until Trump, was a lively venue for daily and evening shows, 365 days/year, now fallen silent with the destruction of its board by a fake arts enthusiast.



Before the demonstration Sept. 18, 2026, fencing went up around the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts/By Patricia Leslie

Where there's Trump, these likelinesses will follow. At the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Sept. 18, 2026/By Patricia Leslie

In case readers have not seen Trump's Tarp covering President Kennedy's name /By Patricia Leslie


Tara Hoot (center, in red) at the "Hands Off the Arts" rally Sept. 18, 2026 to save the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts/By Patricia Leslie


Drag queen Tara Hoot (she was!) was the moderator Friday night when Washington's Gay Men's Chorus sang and U.S. Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) addressed the crowd, saying he'd never known anyone as insecure as Trump who demands that his name go up on public buildings. 

Trump's motto: "It's my way or the highway."

Other speakers Friday night included a union official and D.C.'s Democratic congressional candidate, Robert White. 

At the "Hands Off the Arts" rally Sept. 18, 2026 to save the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts/By Patricia Leslie

At the "Hands Off the Arts" rally Sept. 18, 2026, a fake Trump came to present his constant message at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts/By Patricia Leslie

At the "Hands Off the Arts" rally Sept. 18, 2026 to save the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts/By Patricia Leslie

At the "Hands Off the Arts" rally Sept. 18, 2026 to save the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts/By Patricia Leslie

At the "Hands Off the Arts" rally Sept. 18, 2026 to save the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts/By Patricia Leslie

After the talks ended, the crowd took off, moving slowly with the flow to find waiting hands to clasp at the "Hands Off the Arts" rally Sept. 18, 2026 to save the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts/By Patricia Leslie

At the "Hands Off the Arts" rally Sept. 18, 2026 to save the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts/By Patricia Leslie

At the "Hands Off the Arts" rally Sept. 18, 2026 to save the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts/By Patricia Leslie
The sign says "Take Care Of This House. Be Always on Call. For This House Is The Hope Of Us All." At the "Hands Off the Arts" rally Sept. 18, 2026 to save the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts/By Patricia Leslie

At the "Hands Off the Arts" rally Sept. 18, 2026 to save the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts/By Patricia Leslie

Moving to find hands for the human chain at the "Hands Off the Arts" rally Sept. 18, 2026 to save the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts/By Patricia Leslie

On the way to form a human chain around the building at the "Hands Off the Arts" rally Sept. 18, 2026 to save the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts/By Patricia Leslie

At the "Hands Off the Arts" rally Sept. 18, 2026 to save the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts/By Patricia Leslie
Les miserables marched to save the union at the "Hands Off the Arts" rally Sept. 18, 2026 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts/By Patricia Leslie


Spilling off the front plaza at the JFK Center Sept. 18, 2026 on to F Street, NW, "les misérables" joined hands to stop the destruction of the JFK Memorial. The circular buildings comprise the Watergate complex/By Patricia Leslie

Crossing Rock Creek Parkway at the "Hands Off the Arts" rally Sept. 18, 2026 to save the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts/By Patricia Leslie


On Rock Creek Parkway where motorists honked their horns in support of the people at the "Hands Off the Arts" rally Sept. 18, 2026 to save the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts/By Patricia Leslie

On the Potomac River side of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, motorists sounded their horns in support of the people marching to save the center at the "Hands Off the Arts" rally Sept. 18, 2026 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts/By Patricia Leslie

At the "Hands Off the Arts" rally Sept. 18, 2026 to save the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts/By Patricia Leslie
Inside the "Reach," all is quiet Sept. 18, 2026 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts/By Patricia Leslie

At an empty hall at the "Reach" at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Sept. 18, 2026/By Patricia Leslie

An empty entrance at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts where millions enjoyed performances annually before Trump tore out its heart and soul, but when Trump's term ends, a heart transplant will be conducted and the center's soul, restored/By Patricia Leslie

A silent Concert Hall at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Sept. 18, 2026/By Patricia Leslie
 The D.C. Activist Street Band played on with their wonderful New Orleans flavor at the "Hands Off the Arts" rally Sept. 18, 2026 to save the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts/By Patricia Leslie


The crowd danced to the tunes of the D.C. Activist Street Band at the "Hands Off the Arts" rally Sept. 18, 2026 to save the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts/By Patricia Leslie

A photographer at the JFK Statue at the Center Friday night, the statue, a gift in celebration of the Center's 50th anniversary, Sept. 1971-2021, from David M. Rubenstein, the Kennedy Center chair 2010-2025 until he was ousted by Trump.

At the statue I met a couple from California in town for a few days who happily joined the throng, seeing signs around town announcing the event, they said. They were astonished to hear of Trump's proposed destruction of the JFK Memorial. And of the golf course. And to build the arch. 

Other people at the statue asked each other:  "Where were you when ...?"



patricialesli@gmail.com

No White House Ballroom!

Citizens protest the Trump ballroom at a meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission, Washington, D.C., April 2, 2026/By Patricia Leslie

Citizens protest the Trump ballroom at a meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission, Washington, D.C., April 2, 2026/By Patricia Leslie

Citizens protest the Trump ballroom at a meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission, Washington, D.C., April 2, 2026/By Patricia Leslie

Citizens protest the Trump ballroom at a meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission, Washington, D.C., April 2, 2026/By Patricia Leslie

Citizens protest the Trump ballroom at a meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission, Washington, D.C., April 2, 2026/By Patricia Leslie

Citizens protest the Trump ballroom at a meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission, Washington, D.C., April 2, 2026/By Patricia Leslie

Citizens protest the Trump ballroom at a meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission, Washington, D.C., April 2, 2026/By Patricia Leslie

Jon Golinger of Public Citizen shows letters received in opposition to the Trump ballroom while citizens protest the ballroom at a meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission, Washington, D.C., April 2, 2026,/By Patricia Leslie

Jon Golinger of Public Citizens shows boxes of copies of 35,000 messages, of which 97% opposed Trump's ballroom, at the citizens protest today in Washington, D.C., April 2, 2026 /By Patricia Leslie

Citizens protest the Trump ballroom at a meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission, Washington, D.C., April 2, 2026/By Patricia Leslie

No Kings protests in Falls Church, VA

 

At the 5 p.m. No Kings rally today in Falls Church, this lady said she hurried to make the sign to recognize the murders today in Minnesota of state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the shooting of state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife/By Patricia Leslie

Falls Church, VA may have only 14,685 residents (2023), but more than a tenth of that number showed up today at two No Kings rallies, one beginning at 11 a.m. and the other, at 5 p.m., both attracting huge crowds.

At the noontime No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

When I expected to find, maybe, 100 souls like me to join No Kings, I knew it was going to be a really big day as I approached Broad and Washington and saw many protesters carrying signs. 

The 11 a.m. group filled both sides of Broad from around Maple up to Cherry Street, according to an cyclist who also doubled as an "inventory specialist," riding up and down the street. After walking the route, I confirmed his number about an hour later.

We estimated the size to be about 2,000 hardy souls, smiling, happy to be there, sharing many things in common, especially one.

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA, a child holds a "No Kings" sign with a crown and a big X through it (many of these seen throughout the day). Another sign says: "Trump America's Hitler" and another: "If Kamala Was President We'd All Be At Brunch"/By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA, The green sign reads: "Vaccines Cause Adults"/By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA, the Falls Church Episcopal permitted the No Kings organizers to erect a tent on church property and give out water and snacks to protestors./By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA. Her sign says: "We R Watching U"/By Patricia Leslie

Not only did we celebrate No Kings with those standing, sitting, and walking on the streets but we were joined by horn-blowers who passed by in their vehicles. They clapped, smiled, shouted, and held signs from their open roof tops and car doors in support of our mission.

The 5 p.m. rally ran from about E. Fairfax to Jefferson along Washington where a driver for the U.S. Post Office and one driving a public bus both joined the honking and waved to show their support.

(A "scientific survey" estimated the percentage of vehicle drivers to be about 99.95% in favor of No Kings, the lone exception seen on Washington Street, a sign for the White House occupant attached to a car door. Boo! Like on Halloween.)

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA, she said her husband got the hat for her.  It says "Making Reptile Shows Great Again."  She's wearing a 
"no DOGE" sticker which a couple distributed./By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

From left, their signs read: "No Kings 1776; No Slaves 1865; No Nazis 1945; No Kings 2025" and she has a sign with an orangehead with a long red tie and a crown on his head being flushed. A plunger stands at the ready, about to take him down the toilet/By Patricia Leslie


At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA, there was question whether all in leadership read/By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA, ain't it the truth, sister!/By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA, one of my favorites of the day./By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA.  Look, Ma!  The California state flag!/By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA, another one of my favs./By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA, this woman said her son is in the Army. She lamented the deceiver-in-chief's parade cost of $45 million which I heard will be paid by the Army which gets its funding from...you and me! A very pricey birthday party!  

But (depending upon your source) about a third or a half that amount is the estimated cost for an upcoming wedding for another billionaire which WE do not directly fund, unless you shop at Amazon, Whole Foods, and/or subscribe to his slanted sheet, the Washington Post/By Patricia Leslie

At the 5 p.m. No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA. Her sign reads:  "Live, Laugh Lock Him Up!"/By Patricia Leslie

At the 5 p.m. No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the 5 p.m. No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the 5 p.m. No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the 5 p.m. No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA. The sign on the right says: "Democracy has NO King"/By Patricia Leslie

At the 5 p.m. No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA. She doesn't like a "Taco King."/By Patricia Leslie

At the 5 p.m. No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA, the sign holder said she was a nurse and the only material she had to make this sign was the flip side of an illustration on stroke symptoms. A worthy cause for sure, supported by stroke victims! /By Patricia Leslie

At the 5 p.m. No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the 5 p.m. No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the 5 p.m. No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA. Her sign reads: "Orange is the new HATE"/By Patricia Leslie

At the 5 p.m. No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA, these ladies were kind enough to haul a cooler with water which they offered to participants. Other distributed literature such as "Know Your Rights" if ICE comes calling: 

Get a lawyer now. You have the right to remain silent, with or without a lawyer present. If you cannot afford a lawyer, non-profit agencies will help you get one. Unless agents have a warrant signed by a judge, you have the right to refuse access to your home, your purse, your wallet, your phone, your car and other belongings. Do not run. If you are stopped in a car, ask the agent to slide the warrant through a window. Do not get out of your car or open your door. You have the right to refuse to show any documents before speaking with your lawyer. Always carry your green card or visa with you. Never carry false papers.

At the 5 p.m. No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA.  He was wearing some fancy socks, too./By Patricia Leslie

At the 5 p.m. No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the 5 p.m. No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the 5 p.m. No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the 5 p.m. No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA. Can you read the slogan on her shirt?/By Patricia Leslie

At the 5 p.m. No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA, the U.S. flag was probably carried more than any sign. "They" can't claim our flag!  It is ours! The one I carried came from the night of Nov. 5, 2024 which I got at Howard University/By Patricia Leslie

At the 5 p.m. No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the 5 p.m. No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

At the 5 p.m. No Kings protest today in Falls Church, VA/By Patricia Leslie

A person looking much like Virginia District Attorney candidate Jay Jones hung outside a window of a truck plastered with Jones's campaign signs, and signaled "thumbs up" as he rode past the crowd on Washington Street. His driver honked in support of No Kings.

A Falls Church police car and, strangely enough, a DC police car were the only members of law enforcement seen, both on Broad Street about 12:30 p.m.

It was a satisfying, great day for all who joined the common cause to "show our stuff," that we're fed up (!) and unlike Republican members of Congress, not afraid of a tyrant. He won't last forever. And neither will his sycophants.

Stand back, all who don't believe. We got power! Just like the Founding Fathers wanted us to have.

Take a look at the great signs! All homemade!

patricialesli@gmail.com