The owner of a hotel in the tourist area of Orlando, Florida, has reached an agreement with… US Department of Justice Due to a discrimination lawsuit filed against the resort after it canceled a planned conference for an Arab-American group following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
In the complaint filed Thursday, the Justice Department accused AWH Orlando Property, owner of the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Orlando at SeaWorld, of discrimination based on national origin when it canceled hosting the Arab American Foundation's annual summit in November 2023.
The Justice Department said he was not there Specific threats or risks To the hotel regarding the summit and that there was no reason other than discriminatory for canceling the meeting for the Arab American Cultural and Educational Group.
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Department of Justice seals during a press conference at the Department of Justice office in Washington on May 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magaña)
“Simply put, in the midst of the ongoing war in the Middle East, the hotel did not want an Arab group — in this case, the establishment — to hold its event at the DoubleTree,” the complaint said. “This was the first time in years that DoubleTree canceled an event against a customer's wishes.”
The owner denied these accusations and did not admit responsibility. The landlord and the Department of Justice reached the agreement, which was reached immediately after the complaint was filed, to avoid protracted litigation, the landlord's lawyers said in a statement.
“We are deeply committed to inclusivity and fostering a welcoming environment for all,” the statement read. “As part of this commitment, we continue to implement proactive measures, including regular diversity, equity and inclusion training, while striving for continuous improvement and best practices.”
US Department of Justice on June 11, 2021 in Washington, DC (Kevin Deitch/Getty Images)
AWH Partners said it has “no control, e.g., input or involvement” in the hotel’s management or operations because it is a passive limited-partner investor.
Under the terms of the agreement, the hotel must issue a statement within a month to the Arab American Foundation explaining that it welcomes all guests regardless of race, color, religion or national origin.
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The FBI headquarters building in Washington, D.C., on July 3, 2023. (Getty Images)
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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 welcomes all members of the public.
The agreement must still be approved by A Federal judge.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
