Fencing goes up around Kennedy Center as activists worry it will be demolished

The Kennedy Center has started fencing off its main building after a Trump-aligned board voted to close most of the facility for repairs, sparking concerns among activists that this could be a prelude to demolition. The move comes amid broader debates about the future of public cultural institutions amid budget cuts and shifting priorities. While the board claims the fencing is for safety and repair work, critics worry it might signal a larger, more permanent change, threatening the center's role as a cultural hub. This situation underscores the tension between maintaining public arts institutions and the pressures of political and financial changes.