Donald Trump will attend the official opening of the Trump International Hotel and Tower on Georgia Street Tuesday, Feb. 28 — not the controversial president of the United States, but his son Donald Junior.
Donald Junior, as well as his brother Eric, the two eldest of Trump’s three sons, are executive vice-presidents of the Trump Organization and have a contract to run the operation of the hotel, owned by Holborn Properties, which is financed out of Malaysia.
The brothers have previously visited the property, but this is their first public appearance in Vancouver since their father was sworn in as president Jan. 20. The Trump sign in front of the $360-million property was under wraps until the week of the inauguration.
In December 2015, Mayor Gregor Robertson wrote to Joo Kim Tiah, CEO of the Holborn Group, asking the developer to drop Trump’s name from the building, but that was unsuccessful.
Trump’s election campaign included a promise to ban Muslims from entering the US Since he came into power, some of his policies have targeted refugees and immigrants.
In a high-profile case this past weekend, customs officers at a Florida airport detained Muhammad Ali Jr., son of beloved boxer Muhammad Ali, and his mother, Ali’s second wife Khalilah Camacho-Ali. Camacho-Ali was held briefly until she was able to produce a photo of herself with Muhammad Ali, but Muhammad Ali Jr. was detained for two hours.
In Vancouver, a day-long protest dubbed the Trump Welcoming Party will take place outside Trump Tower on Tuesday. The organizers, Occupy Vancouver, suggest participants of the peaceful sit-in might want to bring a chair. The protest will include an open mic component from 10am to 3pm and speakers and music beginning at 3pm.
It's described as a “family friendly” peaceful demonstration against “Islamophobia, misogyny, white supremacy, transphobia and other forms of hatred and discrimination.” A second protest march/rally called resist4peace is taking place the same day at Jack Poole Plaza from 4 to 7:30pm.
As well, members of the Vancouver Fun Police are organizing a cheeky protest dubbed Rumps not Trumps. They're asking participants to greet the Trump brothers wearing anything from sensible granny panties to Borat-style (sling) beachwear. Protesters can participate in person or online by showing their support and “pressed hams” using the hashtag #rumpsnottrumps, which has been commandeered for the operation. Those who aren’t brave enough to brandish their butts are asked to put their money makers where their mouths are with cheeky chants and derrière-decorated placards.
Westender's sister paper, the Vancouver Courier, will have a team at Trump tower Tuesday morning to cover the opening and will broadcast any breaking news using Facebook Live. Visit The Vancouver Courier Newspaper on Facebook for updates and news.
