It appears bigotry knows no geographic bounds, not even in the seemingly tranquil setting of Santa Monica, California as the LA Times reports today a gathering of young leaders of the Friends of Israeli Defense Forces were discriminated against during their planned charity event to raise money for the children of fallen IDF members to attend summer camp. The event was being held at the Hotel Shangri-La owned by Tehmina Adaya whom was quoted by an employee as stating:
In a deposition, Nathan Codrey, who was assistant food and beverage director of the Shangri-La at the time of the gathering, stated that Adaya told him the day of the charity event: "I don't want ... any Jews in my pool."
Members of the group have sued the hotel for discrimination saying they were told
to take down our literature and banners. The hotel removed our rope and stanchions and guests' towels. Anyone wearing a blue wristband was asked to get out of the swimming pool and hot tub."
"They were told they weren't allowed to have banners, that literature was not permitted in the pool area, that the pool was only for hotel guests and that the pool was overcrowded," said James Turken, an attorney for the plaintiffs.
...
"It was my intent and the group's intent that, as long as we were there and knew we belonged there, we were not going to be forced out because of who we were and what we believed in," (Ari) Ryan said.
A sad day in America it is when people believe they can discriminate without consequence.
Let us hope this hotel owner learns otherwise.