As inauguration day draws closer, Robert Reich -- the former Labor Secretary in President Bill Clinton's administration -- has taken to social media to advocate for an anti-Trump concert in Washington, D.C., during the January 20 inauguration.
"Someone just suggested to me a televised 'freedom concert' to air at the same time as the inauguration -- with huge celebrities like Beyonce and Jay Z, Madonna, Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake, Gaga, Bruce Springsteen, and so on," Reich wrote on Facebook. "Alec Baldwin MC's the event, playing Trump as he does on SNL."
Pop culture heavy-hitters performing during the President-elect's televised swearing-in would certainly give Trump a run for the ratings, something he takes very seriously. Such a star-studded event would also highlight the immense difficulty Trump has faced pinning down performers for his special day, most recently losing Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli after severe online backlash. Even Washington, D.C.'s local marching bands are declining to attend.
Talk of a so-called "freedom concert" has gained traction with Reich's nearly 1.7 million Facebook followers, with the reach continuing to grow as it is shared across all social media platforms. A Change.org petition launched as well, with nearly 45,000 signatures as of Wednesday afternoon.
"Freedom concert" boosters say the event could be a key opportunity to raise money for progressive organizations, like the ACLU, the Human Rights Campaign, and Planned Parenthood.
