CHICAGO – Two musical groups from the Chicago area that were anticipating being a part of the 58th Presidential Inaugural Parade have responded to public pressure to drop out in two different ways – one is canceling the planned trip, and the other is asking Trump supporters to bolster their efforts.
The South Shore Drill Team, led by Dr. Clifton Underwood, announced his group would not be celebrating Donald J. Trump's inauguration on January 20th, although they marched in President Obama's 2009 parade. Underwood said they weren't attending because they were notified at the last minute, although on January 2 the group sent out a press release that 35 of their group would be going to D.C. for the parade.
Underwood told ABC7 that they received angry emails, phone calls and voice mails after the notice was sent out. They said people were upset with Trump and his "comments about the African-American community."
But Trump critics didn't focus just on Chicago's South Shore Drill Team. They also turned up the heat on the Olivet Nazarene University, whose world-renowned marching band was listed among the Inaugural Parade Committee's participant list December 30th, as first reported by Illinois Review.
The university's president John Bowling is asking those that support the Marching Tigers going to the Trump Inauguration sign onto a petition on the Change.org website. Thus far, less than 600 have signed on in support. Bowling's letter was in response to a petition set up on the same website, calling on Olivet Nazarene to withdraw.
"As word spread that we accepted the Inaugural Parade invitation, individuals began expressing personal thoughts, some asking that we not participate and many others cheering us on," Bowling writes in a letter accompanying the petition request. "I understand the varying opinions, and I respect those who have shared their objections as well as support.
The band asked to participate before they knew who the next president would be, the president said.
"Several have asked if Olivet would have participated in the Inaugural Parade had the outcome of the election been different. The answer is an emphatic 'yes,'" he wrote. "Had Secretary Clinton been elected president, Olivet would have been just as honored to participate. In fact, the parade application process started several weeks before the election."
The trip expenses are being paid for by private donations, the president said.
"I also ask you to congratulate our students on their hard work. This invitation opens a door for them to step into a chapter of history that is afforded to only a few. Please join me also in praying for the work and reach of Olivet, for our country, and for all of our leaders, past, present and future."
The petition supporting Olivet Nazarene University's participation in the parade is available HERE.
