Rockettes Don’t Want To Kick Up Legs For ‘Grab ‘Em By The P*ssy’ President

Union Says Dancers Who Boycott Trump’s Swearing-In Risk Losing Jobs

After it was announced Thursday that the Radio City Rockettes have been booked to perform at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, one member of the iconic precision dance troupe took to social media to voice her objections. 

“I usually don’t use social media to make a political stand but I feel overwhelmed with emotion,” Rockettes dancer Phoebe Pearl wrote on Instagram. “Finding out that it has been decided for us that Rockettes will be performing at the Presidential inauguration makes me feel embarrassed and disappointed. The women I work with are intelligent and are full of love and the decision of performing for a man that stands for everything we’re against is appalling. I am speaking for just myself but please know that after we found out this news, we have been performing with tears in our eyes and heavy hearts. We will not be forced! #notmypresident.” 

The Rockettes’ union, the American Guild of Variety Artists, responded in an email warning members that if they refuse to perform at the inauguration, they’ll risk losing their jobs, according to Broadway World. 

“Any talk of boycotting this event is invalid,” the AGVA wrote. “Everyone is entitled to her own political beliefs, but there is no room for this in the workplace.” 

In the wake of the AGVA’s email, supporters of Pearl and other Rockettes who don’t want to perform at the inauguration called on people to contact AGVA and the dance troupe’s owner, the Madison Square Garden Company.  

“Most of the Rockettes do not want to perform at the inauguration,” Amanda Duarte wrote in a viral Facebook post. “AGVA, their union, has put in writing to the full time Rockettes that they must accept the inauguration gig or they will lose their jobs. It’s perfect, actually. What could be more fitting for this inauguration than forcing a group of women to do something with their bodies against their will?”

On Friday, the Madison Square Garden Company issued a statement saying that performing at the inauguration is “voluntary” for Rockettes dancers, according to The Hollywood Reporter. 

“The Radio City Rockettes are proud to participate in the 58th Presidential Inaugural,” read the statement. “For a Rockette to be considered for an event, they must voluntarily sign up and are never told they have to perform at a particular event, including the inaugural. It is always their choice. In fact, for the coming inauguration, we had more Rockettes request to participate than we have slots available. We eagerly await the inaugural celebrations.”