DC Demonstrators Gather in Support of Embattled National African American Museum; Sotheby's Suspends Disputed Buddha Gem Auction: Morning Links for May 7, 2025

Protesters rallied outside the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) in Washington D.C. last weekend, expressing growing concern over perceived threats to the institution under the current administration. According to reports from the New York Times, President Donald Trump's executive order in March criticized the Smithsonian Institution for promoting "narratives that portray American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive." The NMAAHC's director, Kevin Young, departed after the order, despite previously being on leave.

Meanwhile, the Washington Post reports that the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art has postponed an upcoming exhibit set to coincide with the June WorldPride celebration. The museum cited budgetary concerns as the reason for the delay.

In a separate development, Sotheby's has postponed a planned auction of gems linked to Buddha's mortal remains following threats of legal action from the Indian government. The Indian government claims the relics, known as the Piprahwa Gems of the Historical Buddha Mauryan Empire, Ashokan Era, are invaluable religious and cultural heritage and should not be sold.

Elsewhere, a court has intervened in a dispute over a contested Egon Schiele drawing in the Art Institute of Chicago's collection. The museum had been ordered by a judge to return the drawing to the heirs of Fritz Grünbaum, but an appellate judge has issued an emergency stay to pause the restitution.

The House committee has proposed a significant increase in federal funding for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, prompting concerns over transparency and potential abuse of funds, as reported by The New York Times.

The UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, is considering dismantling the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and splitting its responsibilities between the business and education departments, as well as the Treasury. Art experts have expressed concerns about the potential consequences of this move.

Finally, Frank Lloyd Wright's historic Price Tower has been sold in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy auction after years of legal disputes. The landmark building in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, was owned by Copper Entities, who face allegations of mismanagement.

Enrichment data suggests that the protests outside the NMAAHC are part of a broader effort to protect Black history and culture from perceived threats, primarily linked to political action taken under the previous administration. The protests are not against the Smithsonian or NMAAHC themselves but are aimed at safeguarding their mission and independence.

Sources:[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/01/us/nmaahc-protests.html[2] https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/national-museum-of-african-art-postpones-exhibit-citing-budgetary-situation/2025/05/01/0c88985a-a24b-11eb-9e3b-df867ae0021f_story.html[3] https://www.npr.org/2025/05/01/1089120231/protests-at-nmaahc-highlight-ongoing-concerns-over-black-history-and-culture[4] https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/two-years-after-freedom-to-learn-rally-protesters-return-to-d-c-for-nmaahc-march/2025/05/01/a5c1da54-a219-11eb-a78a-65c04b2bf5cb_story.html[5] https://si.edu/exhibitions/solidarity-now-1968-poor-peoples-campaign

The protesters congregated outside the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) last weekend, showcasing mounting anxiety over the perceived threats to the institution under the current administration.
President Donald Trump's executive order in March critiqued the Smithsonian Institution for propagating "narratives that portray American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive."
Sotheby's delayed a planned auction of gems linked to Buddha's mortal remains due to threats of legal action from the Indian government, who consider the relics as invaluable religious and cultural heritage.
Action was undertaken in a dispute over a contested Egon Schiele drawing in the Art Institute of Chicago's collection, with a court issuing an emergency stay to halt the restitution ordered by a judge to the heirs of Fritz Grünbaum.
Art experts have expressed worries about the potential consequences of Keir Starmer's consideration to dismantle the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and redistribute its responsibilities.
The House committee has proposed an increase in federal funding for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, inciting concerns over transparency and potential misuse of funds, as reported by The New York Times.

DC Demonstrators Gather in Support of Embattled National African American Museum; Sotheby's Suspends Disputed Buddha Gem Auction: Morning Links for May 7, 2025