ORLANDO — The owner of an Orlando hotel has been sued by the Justice Department alleging discrimination when the hotel canceled a conference scheduled for an Arab-American group weeks after the attack that sparked the Gaza war. After filing a lawsuit, we reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice.
A complaint filed Thursday by the Department of Justice alleges that the owner of the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Orlando at SeaWorld will be held by the Arab American Foundation in November 2023, nearly a month after the Hamas attack. It alleges that it discriminated on the basis of nationality when it canceled hosting the annual summit. In Israel on October 7, 2023.
The complaint says there were no threats or tangible risks to the hotel in connection with the summit or any other non-discriminatory reason to cancel the Arab American cultural and educational organization’s meeting.
“Simply put, the hotel did not want an Arab organization, in this case a foundation, to host an event at the DoubleTree during the ongoing wars in the Middle East,” the suit says. “This is the first time in several years that DoubleTree has canceled an event against the wishes of its customers.”
Owner AWH Orlando Properties denied the allegations and did not accept liability. An attorney for the owners did not respond to an email seeking comment Friday.
Under the terms of the agreement with the Department of Justice, the hotel must issue a statement to the Arab American Foundation within one month clarifying that it welcomes all guests regardless of race, color, religion or national origin. There is. According to the agreement, the hotel must also adopt a written anti-discrimination policy and contact at least five Arab or Arab-American groups to inform them that the hotel is open to all members of the public. There is a need.
The agreement was signed shortly after the Justice Department filed a complaint and must be approved by a federal judge.
The Arab American Foundation did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Friday.
By Mike Schneider, Associated Press
