500 signatures reached
To: Congress and the Trump administration
Don’t defund or censor our museums!
Museums are institutions that preserve our country’s culture and history. But from Day 1, Trump has been threatening our cultural institutions across the board—first dismantling the Kennedy Center and now threatening the Smithsonian.
The iconic Smithsonian Institution is made up of 17 free museums, galleries, and a zoo in Washington, D.C., and an additional two museums in New York City. These publicly accessible museums tell the story of our country—teaching visitors about the history of slavery and the Civil Rights era, showcasing art, and highlighting feats like space exploration.
Attacking our cultural institutions leads to the erosion of our democracy and the erasure of our history. Add your name to tell Congress and the Trump administration to fully fund our museums and REJECT censorship.
Why is this important?
Already, Trump’s attempted cuts to the Institute of Museum and Library Services have been disastrous—gutting the agency and terminating over 1,000 grants.
And now he’s turning his sights to the Smithsonian as part of his administration’s attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion—laying the groundwork to keep attacking other publicly funded museums nationwide.
And make no mistake: Censoring institutions like museums is right out of the authoritarian playbook as a means of controlling the public narrative, promoting propaganda, and spreading disinformation. Art and history have often been weaponized under regimes to tighten control and suppress free speech.
We need to show up in support of our public museums and make sure they stay institutions for the people—not for any single political party or figure.
Sign the petition to protect museums—in Washington, D.C., and nationwide!