Florida hotel discriminated against Arab-American group after Oct. 7 attack: DOJ
A hotel owner in a tourist district in Orlando, Florida, has reached a settlement with the US Department of Justice in a discrimination lawsuit against the resort after Hamas canceled an October 7, 2023, conference for an Arab-American group. Attack on Israel.
In a complaint filed Thursday, the DOJ said AWH Orlando Property, which owns the DouTree by Hilton Hotel in Orlando at SeaWorld, committed racial discrimination in canceling the Arab American Foundation’s annual conference in November 2023.
The DOJ said there were no threats or specific threats to the hotel in connection with the conference and that there was no other non-discriminatory reason for the Arab American Cultural and Educational Group to cancel the meeting.
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The Justice Department is seen at a news conference at the DOJ office on May 16, 2023 in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Maganda)
“Simply because of the war going on in the Middle East, the hotel didn’t want an Arab group — in this case, a foundation — to host the event at the DoubleTree,” the complaint said. “This is the first time in years that DoubleTree has canceled an event against the customer’s wishes.”
The owner denied the charges and denied responsibility. The owner’s attorneys said in a statement that the owner and the DOJ reached an agreement to avoid protracted litigation after the complaint was filed.
“We are deeply committed to inclusion and creating a comfortable environment for everyone,” the statement said. “As part of this commitment, we continue to implement proactive measures, including regular training on diversity, equity and inclusion, while striving for continuous improvement and best practices.”
The US Department of Justice will appear on June 11, 2021 in Washington, DC (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
AWH Partners said it has “no control, say, input or participation” in the management or operation of the hotel because it is a passive, limited partner investor.
According to the agreement, the hotel must make a clear statement to the Arab American Foundation within one month that it welcomes all guests regardless of race, color, religion or nationality.
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Federal Bureau of Investigation headquarters in Washington, DC on July 3, 2023. (Getty Images)
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The hotel must adopt a written anti-discrimination policy and contact at least five Arab or Arab American groups to communicate that the hotel welcomes all members of the community.
The deal still has to be approved by a federal judge.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
