BREAKING: Protesters gather at the Kennedy Center

A large protest is gathering outside the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., as public outrage grows over the future of one of the country’s most prominent cultural institutions.

The demonstration, organized by Hands Off the Arts, was expected to draw around 1,000 people Friday evening. Organizers planned speeches, musical performances and a human chain around the Kennedy Center in a public show of support for its artists, workers and the building itself. (The Washington Post)

The protest comes after the Kennedy Center’s Trump-led board voted to close the main building for roughly two years for renovations. The building has since been fenced off and closed to the public. (AP News)

The fight has now reached federal court.

U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ordered that at least 30 days’ notice must be provided before major structural changes, including demolition. President Donald Trump has publicly discussed the possibility of tearing the building down, while his administration and Kennedy Center leadership have defended the need for extensive renovations. (AP News)

And the turmoil is already hitting workers. The Washington Post reported Friday that roughly a dozen Kennedy Center employees were laid off as the closure continues. (The Washington Post)

Tonight, the people who believe the Kennedy Center belongs to the public are making themselves impossible to ignore.

Cup of Culture will continue following this story as the protest unfolds.