marching band raises funds to attend trump inauguration

Photo Credit: MVSU

Mississippi Valley State University has raised $60K on GoFundMe to play during the 60th Presidential Inauguration Parade on January 20.

The total cost for the trip including travel, accommodations, meals, and equipment is estimated to be around $250,000. MSVU says it is committed to make sure every student in the band can participate, regardless of their financial circumstances. The university put up a GoFundMe page to ask alums, supporters, and the community to support the band’s endeavor.

“This is not just a moment of pride for our university but for the entire state of Mississippi,” says Dr. Jerryl Briggs, MSVU President. “It is an opportunity to showcase our legacy, celebrate our culture, and invest in the future leaders of our community.”

“This participation allows students to engage in the peaceful transition of power and gain global exposure while celebrating the university’s 75th anniversary,” Briggs adds.

As of the time of writing, the band has managed raise around $62,117 on GoFundMe, mostly from small-dollar donations. The current goal is set at $70K and more than 1,300 individual donations have been made to help the marching band’s goal. The page says these funds will be used to acquire instruments, uniforms, provide scholarships, and get other essential resources for the continued development of the marching band. The ‘Mean Green Marching Machine’ band has round 250 members.

The announcement online has been met with some backlash. “Will someone tell Mississippi Valley State University that this is not the time to accept an invitation to march in the parade to celebrate a man who will do everything in his power to ruin HBCUs,” one comment on Twitter reads.

Other commenters were critical that the band accepted the invitation to march on MLK Jr. Day. “This should be a hard no. Why would you have your students out there high-stepping for Trump? Mississippi is the land of Fannie Lou Hamer, Medgar Evers, and Ida B. Wells, and you’re about to willingly allow this historic HBCU to take this step backwards? Just say no,” reads another.