(WASHINGTON) – Nearly 20 people rallied outside the National Capital Planning Commission’s building in Northwest Washington, D.C. Thursday morning to protest President Donald Trump’s move to knock down the East Wing of the White House to build a ballroom.
Pedestrians, drivers and bicyclists cheered and honked in solidarity as the small group of people held up their signs and chanted, “No corruption, no construction!”
“We’re out here today to protest Trump’s wildly wacky and wrong proposed ballroom at the White House,” Jon Golinger, a protest organizer for Public Citizen, the non-profit that held the rally. “He literally demolished the East Wing of the White House without any notice, despite saying the White House would not be touched.”
The commission has approval authority for projects on federal land in Washington, D.C. Protesters had expected the commission to hold an in-person final vote on Thursday on the president’s plans to build a massive new ballroom on the east side of the historic executive mansion.
But Chairman William Scharf said at the start of the hearing that, despite media “lies,” the final vote was always scheduled for April 2. Capital News Service attempted to reach Scharf, but was not successful.
During the hearing, Commissioner Paul Ingrassia lobbied for the construction of the ballroom, arguing that “the White House should grow with the nation.”
Although 104 people had registered to comment during the commission’s hearing, many people did not show up to testify at the virtual hearing.
Golinger, speaking to the crowd outside, recommended that rally attendees tune in to the public’s comments. He said he’d read some of the submissions of written testimony.
“If you really look through them, they will make you mad. They will make you inspired. They will make you cry,” Golinger said in his speech to the attendees. “Because of that public pressure, just in the last hour, the commission announced that … they’re postponing voting on this project.”
Rebecca Miller, executive director of the non-profit D.C. Preservation League, testified during the hearing, urging the commission to “not ignore the public’s sentiments.” Miller said she believes that the ballroom violates social norms and “dilutes the heritage of the White House,” voicing her “serious concerns and strong oppositions.”
While some directly opposed the construction of the ballroom, Carol Quillen, member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, urged the commission to make some changes to the ballroom’s blueprints.
“You are stewards of places that matter to all Americans,” she said to the committee during her testimony. “You don’t have to choose between respecting our history for the American people and accommodating the modern government’s needs. In the case of the East Wing Modernization Project, you can do both.”
While the testimony represented all sides of the arguments, the protesters outside were more demonstrative.
One rally attendee dressed up in a Trump fathead mask and beat a piñata representing the East Wing.
“I’m out here today because it is one of the most disgusting, egregious things that this administration could have done, to demolish a building that they do not own,” said Yint Hmu, the mobilization coordinator for Public Citizen.
@cnsmaryland Nearly 20 people rallied outside The National Capital Planning Commission’s building Thursday morning to further protest President Donald Trump’s move to strike down the East Wing of the White House to build a ballroom. Pedestrians, drivers and bicyclists cheered and honked in solidarity as the small group of people held up their signs and chanted “no corruption, no construction!” The event was organized by the non-profit organization, Public Citizen. ✍️: Reporting by Sanya Wason 🧑💻: Post by Madilyn Rubery #Trump #Protest #fyp ♬ original sound – Capital News Service
Hmu said that despite the power of chants and protests, organizations need ways to creatively stand out. “And what better way to demonstrate than a piñata of the East Wing with a bunch of corrupt money inside,” he said.
As people walked by the protestors, either signaling support or shaking their heads, the group’s passion for the topic.
David Weiss, 73, a resident of the district, carried hand-painted tote bags reading, “The only ballroom I want is in my pants.”
“[Trump] may not be able to relate,” he said, “as many of his cronies may not be able to relate, too.”
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