The inauguration of a new U.S. President is a momentous event, usually boasting an array of A-list celebrities, decorated government officials and eager crowds awaiting to get a glimpse of their nation’s new leader. This year, with the inauguration of the controversial President-Elect Donald Trump, many have chosen to boycott the ceremony, and protests have been organized in response to his official inauguration.  Trump enters the White House with historically low approval ratings.  The results of the popular vote have been reflected in polls which have earned Trump the title of least favorable President of the last 40 years, even compared to Bush Jr., who like Trump, lost the popular vote.  President Obama took office with a 20 percent unfavorable rating, while Goerge W. Bush saw a 36 percent unfavorable rating.  On Jan. 20, 2017 President-Elect Trump is entering with a record-high 54 percent unfavorable rating.

An event which is usually regarded as star-studded is being boycotted by many of these big name stars.  Mr. Trump received rejections to his invitation to perform from singers such as Celine Dion and Elton John, and instead enlisted the musical talents of Jackie Evancho at his ceremony.  The dearth of talent could be explained by his historically high unfavorable rating, or by the controversial nature surrounding the Trump Administration’s policies.  In fact, celebrities have chosen to not attend the ceremony and have instead opted to show their disdain by attending and organizing events protesting the soon to be commander-in-chief and his views.  Trump’s “Make America Great Again” concert taking place on the eve of his inauguration will be held at the same time as an anti-Trump and pro-Planned Parenthood concert featuring the rapper Common.  During the actual ceremony, other A-listers will be hosting a live telethon, “Love-a-thon,” in an effort to raise money for Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union.  The largest protest will take place the day after he is sworn into office.  Hundreds of thousands of men and women will march in cities around the world in support of female rights and organizations that defend these rights.  The nation’s capital boasts the largest event, the Women’s March on Washington, with an expected attendance of more than 250,000, but swarms of people will be protesting in dozens of other cities including Miami, Los Angeles, Paris and London.  Additionally, musicians have collaborated and begun the “Our First Hundred Days” project, with their aim being to protect causes that they believe may be threatened by the new administration.

“Leading up to [the] inauguration, I am worrisome about what Trump represents for the country.  The Obama’s conveyed the message that no matter where you come from, as long as you work hard, you can succeed.  At this time, the country needs to stand together and be united in order to fortify your ideals and make sure that they’re not clouded by people like Trump who want to change them for their personal agenda,” sophomore Axel Rodriguez said.

Celebrities are not the only people who will be absent from the ceremony, many high-standing government officials have called for a boycott as well.  U.S. Representative John Lewis stated that he will not be attending because he does not see Trump as a “legitimate” president.  Trump, notorious for his inability to stay silent in the face of criticism, rebuked the civil rights leader, enraging Democratic lawmakers and civil rights activists around the country.  Representative Ted Lieu released a statement in which he explained that “…the personal decision not to attend the Inauguration is quite simple: Do I stand with Donald Trump, or do I stand with John Lewis? I am standing with John Lewis.”  Many other Democratic Representatives are as well boycotting to stand with John Lewis.  Others have made the decision based on new revelations about possible ties to Russia, and still others have reached this conclusion based on their inability to support Trump’s views.  Critics have regarded these actions as a blatant disrespect for the office and for the peaceful transition of power, although many who will not be attending voiced their respect for those very things, while then stating that they do not respect the specific person who the ceremony is being held for.  It is unclear exactly how many people will be attending, but planners estimate no more than 900,000 people, compared to the almost two million attendees at Obama’s 2009 Inauguration.