Hyatt Hotels is hosting the 2021 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) three-day event at the Hyatt Regency Orlando in Florida. Prominent Republican speakers from lawmakers and former administration officials to President Donald Trump will be gathering to celebrate conservative values.
A spokesperson for Hyatt told FOX Business in an emailed statement that its primary goal was to provide a safe and inclusive environment for its colleagues, guests and customers.
“We take pride in operating a highly inclusive environment and we believe that the facilitation of gatherings is a central element of what we do as a hospitality company,” the spokesperson said. “We believe in the right of individuals and organizations to peacefully express their views, independent of the degree to which the perspectives of those hosting meetings and events at our hotels align with ours. Our own values support a culture that is characterized by empathy, respect and diversity of opinions and backgrounds, and we strive to bring this to light through what we do and how we engage with those in our care.”
The hashtag #boycottHyatt began spreading on social media after users learned that Hyatt would host the conservative event, and the online malice intensified after a conspiracy theory began circulating that the stage was created to mimic a nazi symbol.
And I can choose to #boycottHYATT because I DON'T support Nazi fascisms or insurrectionists. https://t.co/dJTsdcRh0o
— No Justice, No Peace! Healing Begins With Justice (@SmcSheila) February 26, 2021
Matt Schlapp confronted the stage design conspiracy and noted that conservatives have long supported the Jewish community.
Stage design conspiracies are outrageous and slanderous. We have a long standing commitment to the Jewish community. Cancel culture extremists must address antisemitism within their own ranks. CPAC proudly stands with our Jewish allies, including those speaking from this stage.
— Matt Schlapp (@mschlapp) February 27, 2021
It has been estimated that the event could have a multimillion-dollar impact on the local area at a time when the U.S. economy is struggling to combat the devastating financial effects of the ongoing pandemic. The conference is the largest annual gathering of conservative activists and leaders.
