Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump will host a rally at the Lakefront Airport in New Orleans on Friday, March 4, and a group of local musicians are planning to protest the event in the most New Orleans way possible.
Photo by Michael Vadon via CCA-SA 4.0 International License.
The musicians are gearing up for a second line protest at the entrance to the Lakefront Airport, where they will link up with other non-musical protesters that will be at the event. Those that would like to participate are encouraged to bring brass instruments and/or a festive spirit. The protestors plan to gather near the entrance at 3pm, with music beginning at 5pm.
The group is calling its protest Trumpets Trump Drumpf. The name is a reference to a recent segment from Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, in which the the British comedian reminded his audience that Trump’s family name was originally Drumpf (his grandfather had the decidedly German surname changed when he immigrated to the United States). Oliver also coined the instantly-popular slogan “Make Donald Drumpf Again”–a reference to Trump’s own “Make America Great Again” slogan–during the same segment.
“We as musicians feel Donald Trump is the ultimate salesman,” says saxophonist Quay Frazier. “We refuse to be sold blanket statements and lies. People are angry because their wages have not risen in a generation, and they’re looking for a way out. Donald Trump is trying to capture this anger by putting the blame on Mexicans, Muslims, African-Americans, etc, but America is about love and was built by people of all shades and colors. Our music does not discriminate. Our mission is to trump Drumpf with trumpets, to overpower his hate speech with music of love. Let’s show him how it’s done!”
Trump established himself as the clear frontrunner for the Republican Party’s presidential nomination following a string of big primary and caucus victories yesterday. Much of the party’s establishment has made its dissatisfaction with the situation clear, and many have vowed to do everything they can to keep him from securing the nomination when the Republicans hold their convention this July.
Trump’s New Orleans rally will kick off at 6pm this Friday, with doors opening at 3pm. Those that would like to attend the free event must register here. Louisiana’s Republican and Democratic primaries will take place the following day, on Saturday, March 5.
