Band from historically black Alabama college to march at Trump Inauguration, sparking controversy

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Talladega College

Alabama’s own Marching Tornadoes from Talladega College have accepted an invitation to perform at the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, according to the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC).

The state’s oldest private, historically black liberal arts college’s decision to participate has sparked controversy across the school’s social media sites with some criticizing the decision, while others are vocally supporting the band’s participation in the historic event.

The PIC announced Friday that Talladega College, along with 39 additional organizations — including high school and university marching bands, equestrian corps, first responders and veterans groups — are expected to make up the more than 8,000 participants in the Jan 20. inaugural parade.

“People from every corner of the country have expressed great interest in President-elect Trump’s inauguration and look forward to continuing a salute to our republic that spans more than two centuries,” said PIC CEO Sara Armstrong. “As participants follow in the footsteps of our new president and vice president down Pennsylvania Avenue, they will be adding their names to the long list of Americans who have honored our country by marching in the inaugural parade.”

Each branch of the United States military will be represented in the parade as well as the following groups, listed below in alphabetical order.

  1. 1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry Detachment – Fort Hood, Texas
  2. 1st Infantry Commanding General’s Mounted Color – Ft. Riley, Kansas
  3. Boone County Elite 4-H Equestrian Drill Team – Burlington, Kentucky
  4. Caisson Platoon, Fort Myer – Fort Myer, Virginia
  5. Cleveland Police Mounted Unit – Cleveland, Ohio
  6. Coastal Florida Police & Fire Pipes & Drums – Palm Coast, Florida
  7. Columbus North High School Band – Columbus, Indiana
  8. Culver Academy Equestrian – Culver, Indiana
  9. First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  10. Fishburne Military School Army JROTC Caissons Battalion – Fishburne, Virginia
  11. Frankfort High School Band – Ridgeley, West Virginia
  12. Franklin Regional High School Panther Marching Band – Murrysville, Pennsylvania
  13. Indianapolis Metro Police Motorcycle Drill Team – Indianapolis, Indiana
  14. Kids Overseas – Richmond Hill, Georgia
  15. Lil Wranglers – College Station, Texas
  16. Marist College Band – Poughkeepsie, New York
  17. Merced County Sheriff’s Posse – Hilmar, California
  18. Michigan Multi-Jurisdictional Mounted Police Drill Team & Color Guard – Ann Arbor, Michigan
  19. Mid America Cowgirls Rodeo Drill Team – New Buffalo, Michigan
  20. Nassau County Firefighters Pipes & Drums – East Meadow, New York
  21. North Carolina Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association – Hillsborough, North Carolina
  22. NYPD Emerald Society Pipes & Drums – East Moriches, New York
  23. Olivet Nazarene University – Bourbonnais, Illinois
  24. Palmetto Ridge High School Band – Naples, Florida
  25. Russellville High School Band – Russellville, Arkansas
  26. Talladega College Band – Talladega, Alabama
  27. Texas State University Strutters – San Marcos, Texas
  28. The Citadel Regimental Band & Pipes and Summerall Guards – Charleston, South Carolina
  29. The Freedom Riders – Kersey, Colorado
  30. Tragedy Assistance Marching Unit – Arlington, Virginia
  31. Tupelo High School Band – Tupelo, Mississippi
  32. University of Tennessee Marching Band – Knoxville, Tennessee
  33. VMI Corps of Cadets – Lexington, Virginia
  34. West Monroe High School Marching Band – West Monroe, Louisiana
  35. American Veterans – National
  36. Boy Scouts of America – National
  37. US Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations – National
  38. Disabled American Veterans – National
  39. US Border Patrol Pipes & Drums – National
  40. Wounded Warriors – National

Talladega College has not returned phone calls from Alabama Today seeking comment on the controversial decision to participate in the parade.