Talladega College President Undecided On Band’s Inauguration Performance
Talladega College doesn’t have a football team, but it has a band – the Marching Tornadoes. More than 100 band members from the historically black college east of Birmingham have been invited to perform in President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural parade. The college president is undecided on whether the band will perform, a college spokesman said.
Talladega President Billy Hawkins is expected to announce later Tuesday whether the band will participate, said Greg Wilson, college spokesman. “The list of participants came from the Inauguration Committee,” Wilson said. “Our president has yet to confirm or deny that Talladega College will participate.”
Performing in the inauguration parade would be the band’s largest national audience, but the invitation has stirred controversy online among some alums. Shirley Ferrill of Fairfield launched a petition to “Get Talladega College to withdraw from the inaugural parade for Donald Trump.” Ferrill’s petition states: “In view of his behavior and comments I strongly do not want Talladega College to give the appearance of supporting him.”
Current student Dollan Young launched a petition supporting the band’s participation. Young’s petition says, “We believe that this parade is not about politics it’s about seeing first hand the process of a transition. It’s not to support of no political party its about the experience that the students will obtain. We are not one-track thinkers and believe everyone is entitled to the own beliefs.”
Talladega College, founded in 1867 by former slaves, is the only historically black college or university (HBCU) listed to perform in the inaugural parade.
Four bands from historically black colleges or universities participated in the first inauguration of President Barack Obama: Florida A&M University, Grambling State University, Hampton University and Howard University. This will be the first appearance in a presidential inauguration for the Talladega band. It has performed previously before national audiences, including halftime at the New Orleans Saints vs. Denver Broncos game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in November.
Located about 40 miles east of Birmingham, Talladega College is a small liberal arts institution with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio. Most Talladega graduates go on to pursue graduate degrees, according to the college’s website.
Talladega is home to the Amistad Murals, regarded as one of the “best-documented works” of artist Hale Aspacio Woodruff. The murals are displayed in the college’s Savery Library and attract visitors from around the world.
NOTE: This story was updated at 12:45 p.m. today after WBHM learned that college leaders have yet to decide whether the band will attend.
U.S. and Iran to hold a third round of nuclear talks in Geneva
Iran and the United States prepared to meet Thursday in Geneva for nuclear negotiations, as America has gathered a fleet of aircraft and warships to the Middle East to pressure Tehran into a deal.
FIFA’s Infantino confident Mexico can co-host World Cup despite cartel violence
FIFA President Gianni Infantino says he has "complete confidence" in Mexico as a World Cup co-host despite days of cartel violence in the country that has left at least 70 people dead.
Supreme Court appears split in tax foreclosure case
At issue is whether a county can seize homeowners' residence for unpaid property taxes and sell the house at auction for less than the homeowners would get if they put their home on the market themselves.
Top House Dem wants Justice Department to explain missing Trump-related Epstein files
After NPR reporting revealed dozens of pages of Epstein files related to President Trump appear to be missing from the public record, a top House Democrat wants to know why.
ICE won’t be at polling places this year, a Trump DHS official promises
In a call with top state voting officials, a Department of Homeland Security official stated unequivocally that immigration agents would not be patrolling polling places during this year's midterms.
Cubans from US killed after speedboat opens fire on island’s troops, Havana says
Cuba says the 10 passengers on a boat that opened fire on its soldiers were armed Cubans living in the U.S. who were trying to infiltrate the island and unleash terrorism. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the U.S. is gathering its own information.
