Last week U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper heard the case where Ohio Representative Joyce Beatty, who is also a member of the board at The Kennedy Center, had filed suit against the name change to the iconic Performing Arts Center and the planned closure of the Center for a monstrous renovation program that would see The Kennedy Center closed for two years.
In that case, Judge Cooper ruled that the board must remove the illegal name change – only Congress can make any changes to the Kennedy Center – and while they may make “sorely needed” repairs, the Kennedy Center will NOT close! Judge Cooper gave the Kennedy Center board 14 days to remove the illegal name change; from “the institution’s title, as represented on the façade of the Center, any other physical or digital signage, and official materials.” Judge Cooper noted, “Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it.”
Kennedy Center spokesperson Roma Davari had indicated that the board would be filing an appeal to the ruling.
On June 4,legal council for the Kennedy Center notified the Center to “immediately begin switching the name of the facility back to its original title.” The memo also suggested that the board reconsider their renovation plans.
Henceforth the Performing Arts Center must be referred to as ‘The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts,’ or ‘Kennedy Center.'”
The vice president of public relations for the Kennedy Center Roma Daravi issued a statement saying, “we are complying with the court’s order while evaluating all legal options to preserve this revitalization and recognize President Trump’s leadership.”
The Kennedy Center has until June 12 to comply with the ruling to remove the illegal portion of The Center’s name.
There is one change that will not need to be made, thanks to some quick thinking…or fingers…of former “South Park” writer Toby Morton. When it became evident that the name of the Kennedy Center was going to be amended, Morton quickly purchased the domain name “TrumpKennedyCenter”; thus preventing the Kennedy Center board from using the name.
The Kennedy Center was established by Congress in 1971 as a memorial to assassinated President John F. Kennedy.
After Judge Cooper’s ruling last week, the White House, via a social media rant, stated that since he couldn’t do what he wanted, he was going to give the Kennedy Center back to Congress.
Just one month after taking office for the second time, the current White House resident made a hostile takeover of the Kennedy Center, ousting all of the board members and executive staff and replacing them with people loyal to him; including some board members who were members of the Cabinet.
The move resulted in numerous resignations and cancellations. Another wave of cancellations happened in December after the board made the name change including the National Opera leaving their home at the Kennedy Center. In addition, ticket sales for the remaining shows plummeted, causing even more issues. While the National Symphony Orchestra has remained at the Kennedy Center, they are in danger of dissolving.