[Source/Observer Network/Lin Chenli] According to reports by The Washington Post, Sky News UK and others, during the vigorous protests in Los Angeles, on June 11 local time, US President Trump will go to the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts to watch the musical "Les Misérables". Several actors have announced plans to strike in protest.

The musical "Les Misérables" is adapted from Victor Hugo's novel of the same name published in 1862. It is considered a milestone work in the history of musical theater. Set against the backdrop of the 1832 Paris Uprising, it tells the story of protagonist Jean Valjean's journey of redemption. One of the climaxes of the plot involves citizens rebelling against the government. The famous song "Do You Hear the People Sing?" from the play has been widely used in some protest movements.

Scene of barricades from the American tour of "Les Misérables". The Washington Post

Ironically, the plot of the play mirrors the scenes currently unfolding in Los Angeles.

Starting June 6 local time, federal agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deployed large numbers of law enforcement officers in multiple locations including Los Angeles to carry out immigration enforcement actions, leading to street confrontations, chaos and conflicts. Protesters then held demonstrations in Los Angeles and clashed with local police. As of June 10 local time, the Trump administration has deployed 4,800 active-duty U.S. military personnel to Los Angeles, but the protests have spread across the United States.

British Sky News said that the script of "Les Misérables" bears little difference from Trump's daily work, and Trump won't be the only one to feel "art imitates life," as the real "Les Misérables" is playing out on the streets of Los Angeles.

According to The Washington Post, besides the uprising scenes echoing the clashes between police and protesters in Los Angeles, the plot involving the impoverished heroine Fantine being forced to give up her child and falling ill also draws parallels to Trump's "big and beautiful" tax reform bill. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that this bill will redistribute resources from the lowest 10% income group to the highest 10% group, resulting in 8.6 million people losing health insurance coverage.

On June 8 local time, Los Angeles protesters burned vehicles to protest the Trump administration's arrest of illegal immigrants. Reuters

Trump's viewing of "Les Misérables" aims to promote fundraising activities. Donors need to pay $2 million to qualify for box seats and attend Trump's reception.

It is expected that Trump will watch "Les Misérables" together with his wife Melania in the presidential box at the Kennedy Center, and Vice President Pence will also attend. In March this year, when Pence and his wife attended a performance at this institution, they were booed by the audience.

This is the first performance selected by Trump since he began planning to take over the leadership of the Kennedy Center with conservative groups. Since his election last November, Trump dismissed 18 members of the Kennedy Center board and replaced them with political allies, personally serving as chairman of the board.

According to introductions, the Kennedy Center is located on the Potomac River in Washington D.C., founded in 1971. It is a renowned venue for showcasing top-tier performing arts in the United States, known as the "Royal Theater of America," hosting more than 2,000 performances annually.

Trump criticized the Kennedy Center performances on social media as "shows specifically targeting American youth in drag." He also stated that he would reform the artistic direction of the institution: "We don't like what they perform; we must ensure quality, not 'woke' culture."

In a statement, White House spokesperson Kelly said: "President Trump cares deeply about American art and culture, and he is revitalizing historic institutions like the Kennedy Center to restore their former glory."

Trump's actions have sparked strong protests, with criticism accusing him of politicizing art and "MAGA-ing" the famous art center. After the news of Trump's plan to watch "Les Misérables" broke, several cast members planned to express their protest by striking.

Previously, several performance groups canceled their performances at the venue to protest. The Broadway hit "Hamilton"'s tour canceled its scheduled performances. Actress and producer Issa Rae, writer Louise Penny, and Pulitzer Prize-winning folk musician Rhiannon Giddens followed suit.

A source revealed that as of early June, total subscription revenue for autumn performances at the Kennedy Center fell 36% compared to the same period last year, reaching $2.8 million. Overall theater subscription fees dropped 82% this year.

This article is an exclusive piece by Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7514897905560404499/

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