The president of a historically black college in Alabama says its band will perform in Donald Trump’s inaugural parade, despite a barrage of criticism.
Talladega College president Billy Hawkins announced the decision on Thursday. It comes after the Presidential Inaugural Committee had announced that the Alabama band had accepted its invitation to march in the 20 January parade.
The announcement followed several days of intense debate on social media. Some people voiced strong opposition, while others said it would be a good opportunity to perform in the parade.
Talladega, founded in 1867, bills itself as Alabama’s oldest private, historically black liberal arts college.
Other historically black schools such as Howard University, which performed at Barack Obama’s first inaugural parade, have said they will not be marching at the event.
“We were a bit horrified to hear of the invitation,” said Shirley Ferrill of Fairfield, Alabama, a member of Talladega’s Class of 1974, who began an online petition requesting the band withdraw from the parade.
The move has lit up Talladega College’s social media sites with a sharp debate about the band’s decision to participate in the parade. Some voiced strong opposition, while others support the band’s participation.
“After how black people were treated at Trump’s rallies, you’re going to go and shuck and jive down Pennsylvania Avenue? For what?” Seinya SamForay of Chicago told the Associated Press. “What they did is a slap in the face to other black universities.”
On Monday, the British singer Rebecca Ferguson said she would accept an invitation to perform at Trump’s inauguration on condition she be allowed to sing the anti-lynching anthem Strange Fruit.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
