Alumni from historically black Talladega College are “horrified” the college band is playing at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, according to a Tuesday report from The Associated Press.
The college marching band announced it plans to play for Trump’s inauguration Monday, and alumni from the college quickly voiced their opposition to the decision.
“We were a bit horrified to hear of the invitation,” Shirley Ferrill, a 1974 graduate, said.
“I don’t want my alma mater to give the appearance of supporting him,” Ferrill said Monday. “Ignore, decline or whatever, but please don’t send our band out in our name to do that.”
“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 said in an interview. “What they did is a slap in the face to other black universities.”
“What they should do in my opinion is play that national anthem the best way they’ve ever played it in their life, because you’re basically saluting the country,” graduate Ron White said.
The three other groups slated to perform during the inauguration are the Rockettes, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Marist College marching band. Each group has members opposed to the performance, and a member of the Mormon choir formally quit her job instead of playing.
Marist College won’t require everyone to go to D.C. if they oppose the decision, prompting eight members of the 100 person band to announce they won’t travel with the group. Follow Phillip On Twitter
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