Via press release from PBR
Lexington, KY – Peaceful Bluegrass Resistance is standing up for UK students affected by the University's recently announced cancellation of graduation celebrations that recognize specific student groups. These cancellations are in response to the Trump administration's anti-DEI laws.
The events canceled include the Harambee Unity Graduation Celebration for black graduates; the Office of LGBTQ+ Resources' Lavender Graduation ceremony; and the First-Generation Student pinning ceremony.
Peaceful Bluegrass Resistance is calling on UK to “Educate, Don't Capitulate,” and will hold a protest on Friday, April 25th, from noon to 2:00 pm, in front of the Gatton Student Center.
“If the UK administration won't stand up for its students, then Peaceful Bluegrass Resistance will!” said group founder Dr. Craig Blair. “There is no room in Kentucky for cowards, and since President Capilouto and the UK Board of Trustees have decided to capitulate to these immoral demands, we will be there to call them out on it.”
In response to the graduation event cancellations, UK's Gender & Sexuality Alliance announced that it will hold a “Community Commencement” to celebrate BIPOC, First-Generation, and LGBTQ+ graduates on May 2nd, at the Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church. They are accepting Venmo donations @UKYGSA to help fund the event.
In addition, the historically black fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha will host a “Senior Salute” to celebrate black and other underrepresented graduates at the Lyric Theater on May 7th.
Peaceful Bluegrass Resistance has been holding ongoing street protests at some of Lexington's busiest intersections since Trump took office. It has also cooperated with groups like 50501 Kentucky, Progress Kentucky, 120 United-AFT, Gathering for Democracy, and Bluegrass Activist Alliance to organize events like last Saturday's “No Kings Then, No Kings Now” demonstration. Their Facebook group has more than 2,300 members and is steadily growing.
“Highly visible street protests send the message that all of us should be concerned about what is happening now,” says Blair. “We all have a lot at stake, and we all need to get involved and work to stop the destruction of our federal workforce, our institutions, and our democracy.”
The group’s three weekly protests are:
- Mondays 7:30-9:30 am near Mitch McConnell's office at the intersection of Harrodsburg and New Circle Roads;
- Thursdays 4:00-6:00 pm at the intersection of Nicholasville and Reynolds Roads;
- Saturdays 1:00-3:00 pm at the intersection of Sir Barton Way and Man o'War.
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Peaceful Bluegrass Resistance was founded in Lexington, KY in February 2025 to organize public protests against the Trump/Musk administration and its unconstitutional dismantling of our government and the federal workforce.For more information either email us or visit our Facebook page.
