Petition aims to stop Tennessee band from performing in Trump inaugural parade

A petition calling on the University of Tennessee at Knoxville to stop the university marching band from playing in President-elect Donald Trump's inaugural parade had garnered more than 1,000 signatures by Tuesday afternoon, according to the petition on change.org.

"As either proud residents of Tennessee or proud University of Tennessee alumni, we are greatly disturbed by the behavior exhibited by Donald Trump both during and after the recent presidential campaign," says a letter accompanying the petition, which was started by Tennessee resident Scott Lillard, of Goodlettsville. "He has made racist and sexist remarks that should never come out of the mouth of someone in public office. As residents of Tennessee, we believe that the attendance at the upcoming inauguration of a band representing the state of Tennessee would condone this behavior."

Lillard did not respond to an email seeking comment Tuesday and it wasn't clear what connection he had to the university, though his letter is signed "concerned citizens and alumni."

It goes on to say, "As alumni, we believe that no university should risk its reputation and credibility by welcoming such ignorance and celebrating a man like Trump. It is for this reason that we urge that the band not march at the upcoming inauguration."

A note at the bottom of the petition says it will be delivered to President Joe DiPietro and Donald Ryder, associate professor of music and director of bands at The University of Tennessee.

“It is an honor and a privilege to participate in one of our country’s great democratic traditions,” Chancellor Jimmy Cheek said in an article posted on the UT Knoxville website on Tuesday. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our students, and it is a testament to their talent and to the reputation of the Pride that they have been selected to march in the parade.”

The university and Presidential Inaugural Committee announced last month that UT's Pride of the Southland band would be performing in Trump's inaugural parade Jan. 20 in Washington D.C., along with more than 8,000 participants from 40 organizations across the country.

The announcement marks the band's return to the presidential festivities after it was not invited to President Barack Obama's second inauguration in January 2013. Then-UT Director of Bands Gary Sousa said he was told the Pride didn't receive an invitation because they had performed "too many times" in the past.

Before that, the band had marched in every inauguration parade since Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in to his first full presidential term in 1965.

Ryder said in the article on UT's website that the band applied to be part of this year’s inaugural parade in October, before the election was held.

“Our involvement is not about politics,” he said. “Rather it is about giving our hard-working students the opportunity to represent the great state of Tennessee with pride at a historic event.”

The article also noted that student participation in the trip is voluntary and students can decide whether or not they want to attend.

UT is not the only entity whose decision to participate in inaugural events this year has generated controversy.

Last week, a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir of Salt Lake City made national headlines when she resigned after the choir accepted an invitation to play at the inauguration, telling CNN that she could never "throw roses to Hitler."

By Tuesday more than 2,800 people had signed a petition similar to the one aimed at UT denouncing the decision of the Marist College band in upstate New York to play in the parade and asking the school to reconsider its decision.

Two separate petitions were also started at Talladega College in Alabama, with one calling for the band to participate in the inauguration and another asking the college to withdraw so as not to "give the appearance of supporting" Trump.

"This parade is not about politics," wrote Dollan Young, who started the petition calling on the Talladega band to participate in the parade. "It’s about seeing firsthand the process of a transition. It's not to support of no political party (sic) it's about the experience that the students will obtain."