Civil rights group calls on Hyatt to cancel anti-Muslim conference

Today, Muslim Advocates reiterated its call for the Hyatt Regency in Crystal City to cancel its agreement to host the annual conference for the largest anti-Muslim hate group in the country and is urging the company not to distort civil rights law in order to justify its decision to protect a hate group.

On September 4-5, Hyatt is hosting ACT for America’s annual conference. ACT for America is the nation’s largest anti-Muslim hate group, known for its “marches against Sharia” during Ramadan last year and for making claims that “no practicing Muslim can be a loyal American” and that Islam is a “political ideology masquerading as a religion.”

In response to earlier calls for the hotel not to host this event, Hyatt responded that it would host the event because it “does not unlawfully discriminate against groups who wish to hold lawful meetings at the hotel.” But Hyatt is misrepresenting the law — there are no laws in Virginia or at the federal level that require a hotel to host a hate group like ACT for America.

“It’s deeply troubling that a major company like Hyatt would so grossly misstate its civil rights obligations,” said Scott Simpson, public advocacy director for Muslim Advocates. “Hyatt is trying to turn civil rights law on its head in order to justify hosting a group dedicated to advancing bigotry. While Airbnb and other major hotel chains have declined to host events by hate group, Hyatt is making an active choice to associate with this ideology. ”

In just the past year, major hospitality companies like Hilton, Airbnb, Sofitel (owned by AccorHotels) and the Willard Hotel (owned by IHG) have all declined to host hate groups. Marriott decided to host ACT for America’s 2017 convention despite a broad public outcry and cited its desire to host the event because “our arms need to be open.”

“Hyatt claims to champion diversity and inclusion and all we are asking is that the company re-examine its own stated values and conclude that there will be no room for hate at Hyatt” said Simpson. “If they choose to move forward, Hyatt Regency employees and guests should be aware that their hotel is enabling hate.”

Muslim Advocates is launching a petition and a “No Room for Hate” social media campaign and will actively work with allied organizations, stakeholders, and concerned customers to raise these concerns in the lead up to the convention.