The Talladega College band is set to perform at Donald Trump's presidential inauguration despite controversy surrounding the lineup of performers in the days and weeks leading up to the ceremony.
The school’s president announced Thursday the marching band of this small, historically black college in Alabama will be performing in the 58th Presidential Inaugural Parade.
“We respect and appreciate how our students and alumni feel about our participation in this parade,” Talladega College President Billy C. Hawkins said, according to CNN. “As many of those who chose to participate in the parade have said, we feel the inauguration of a new president is not a political event but a civil ceremony celebrating the transfer of power.”
Despite Hawkins’ decision, an alumna of the school has started a petition for the band to overturn the decision and withdraw.
"As an alumnus I respectfully request that Talladega College Band withdraw from any inaugural events for Donald Trump," wrote Shirley Pratt Ferrill, the creator of the Change.org petition. "In view of his behavior and comments I strongly do not want Talladega College to give the appearance of supporting him."
The petition had garnered more than 1,900 supporters by Thursday afternoon.
There are students, though, who feel the opposite. In fact, some have submitted a petition of their own in favor of the band’s participation in the inaugural parade, supporting Hawkins’ statement that “lessons students can learn from this experience cannot be taught in a classroom,” Time noted.
“For one, it would bring like a positive at least 'cause people will at least know about the school,” said Joshua Eleby, a Talladega College senior, CBS News reported.
Hawkins’ announcement caused critics to highlight Trump's comments throughout his campaign run that many viewed as “disparaging to people of color and immigrants,” CNN noted.
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