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.
So Talladega College band playing for Donald Trump’s inauguration . How can you tarnish the legacy of an HBCU by associating it w| Trump?
— Cowboys (13-3) (@RockHolyfield) December 23, 2016
Talladega College band really agreed to perform at Trump inauguration ? ? Can we just remove them from being a HBCU after this stunt ?.
— Tiara ♛☺️ (@_ColorMeTee) December 27, 2016
Talladega College’s band is performing in the Trump Inaugural parade. They should play The Imperial March start to finish.
— Mandela Barnes (@TheOtherMandela) January 1, 2017
We are all Americans regardless of color!
Where do I donate to the Talladega Band? https://t.co/PyhC5Rkuio— Pete Riehm (@PeteRiehm) January 2, 2017
I hope the Talladega College band does go to the inaugural parade. Even if you don’t like Trump, the honor and recognition is big! pic.twitter.com/Wy2whMTNcv
— Geek Alabama (@geekalabama) December 30, 2016
Congratulations to the Talladega College Band for being chosen to march in the Inaugural Parade #sweethomealabama #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/XGWxzG6gfh
— Terry Lathan (@ChairmanLathan) December 30, 2016
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.
- 1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry Detachment – Fort Hood, Texas
- 1st Infantry Commanding General’s Mounted Color – Ft. Riley, Kansas
- Boone County Elite 4-H Equestrian Drill Team – Burlington, Kentucky
- Caisson Platoon, Fort Myer – Fort Myer, Virginia
- Cleveland Police Mounted Unit – Cleveland, Ohio
- Coastal Florida Police & Fire Pipes & Drums – Palm Coast, Florida
- Columbus North High School Band – Columbus, Indiana
- Culver Academy Equestrian – Culver, Indiana
- First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Fishburne Military School Army JROTC Caissons Battalion – Fishburne, Virginia
- Frankfort High School Band – Ridgeley, West Virginia
- Franklin Regional High School Panther Marching Band – Murrysville, Pennsylvania
- Indianapolis Metro Police Motorcycle Drill Team – Indianapolis, Indiana
- Kids Overseas – Richmond Hill, Georgia
- Lil Wranglers – College Station, Texas
- Marist College Band – Poughkeepsie, New York
- Merced County Sheriff’s Posse – Hilmar, California
- Michigan Multi-Jurisdictional Mounted Police Drill Team & Color Guard – Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Mid America Cowgirls Rodeo Drill Team – New Buffalo, Michigan
- Nassau County Firefighters Pipes & Drums – East Meadow, New York
- North Carolina Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association – Hillsborough, North Carolina
- NYPD Emerald Society Pipes & Drums – East Moriches, New York
- Olivet Nazarene University – Bourbonnais, Illinois
- Palmetto Ridge High School Band – Naples, Florida
- Russellville High School Band – Russellville, Arkansas
- Talladega College Band – Talladega, Alabama
- Texas State University Strutters – San Marcos, Texas
- The Citadel Regimental Band & Pipes and Summerall Guards – Charleston, South Carolina
- The Freedom Riders – Kersey, Colorado
- Tragedy Assistance Marching Unit – Arlington, Virginia
- Tupelo High School Band – Tupelo, Mississippi
- University of Tennessee Marching Band – Knoxville, Tennessee
- VMI Corps of Cadets – Lexington, Virginia
- West Monroe High School Marching Band – West Monroe, Louisiana
- American Veterans – National
- Boy Scouts of America – National
- US Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations – National
- Disabled American Veterans – National
- US Border Patrol Pipes & Drums – National
- Wounded Warriors – National
Talladega College has not returned phone calls from Alabama Today seeking comment on the controversial decision to participate in the parade.