WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Muslim Advocates released the following statement from its Public Advocacy Director Scott Simpson after the Trump Organization canceled a planned gala for the anti-Muslim hate group ACT for America, which has been linked to white supremacist violence in Charlottesville and overlaps with paramilitary and neo-Nazi organizations. Hyatt Hotels banned hate groups after widespread backlash to its hosting of the ACT for America convention last year.

“For years, we have urged hotels to stop catering to hate-based organizations that put their customers and staff at risk. ACT for America works with some of the most violent and militarized white supremacists in the country and the Trump Organization made a smart decision not to host them. 

This is not about political ideology, it’s about basic safety and respect for customers and staff. Hyatt and Airbnb have made smart policy decisions to ban groups that openly embrace this militarized white nationalism. Like the Trump Organization, some hotels have declined to host events by organizations like these on a case-by-case basis but most of the major chains do not have explicit policies in place. In fact, Marriott has openly embraced the hate group convention market. Every major hotel chain should ban groups like ACT for America. If the Trump Organization can do it, so can Marriott, Hilton, Wyndham, InterContinental, Choice and Accor.”

Additional Resources:

• VICTORY: Hyatt Bans Hate Groups, Will Other Hotel Chains Follow?
• Muslim Advocates Responds to Marriott’s Defense of Hosting Nation’s Largest Anti-Muslim Hate Convention
• Muslim Advocates Condemns Nation’s Largest Anti-Muslim Gathering

Muslim Advocates is a national civil rights organization working in the courts, in the halls of power and in communities to halt bigotry in its tracks. We ensure that American Muslims have a seat at the table with expert representation so that all Americans may live free from hate and discrimination. 

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