Demonstrators gathered outside the new Trump International Hotel and Tower in downtown Vancouver on Tuesday, as the invitation-only grand opening took place inside.
U.S. President Donald Trump's two sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, were expected to attend. Police were on scene, both in front and behind a waist-high fence blocking the hotel’s entrance on West Georgia Street.
LIVE from the @TrumpVancouver Grand Opening and Official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony #NeverSettle pic.twitter.com/04QSMorbf7
— Trump Organization (@Trump) February 28, 2017
More than 100 people stood outside, holding signs and singing the Canadian national anthem.
The $360-million hotel and condo development, with a unique twisting design by late architect Arthur Erickson, had a soft launch last month.
The 69-storey building has become a destination for protests over the president's anti-immigrant rhetoric, comments about women and promises to build a wall on the border with Mexico to keep to keep migrants out of the United States.
And Tuesday’s protest was no different than the handful of others in recent months.
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“It’s a way to get under his skin – which he deserves,” said one protester wishing to go by the name Fatimah.
With a sign in hand that read “Trump: A bad brand for Vancouver,” she said she had nothing against Trump’s two sons, but doesn’t believe the 49th U.S. president has truly disentangled himself from his company.
“That [sign is] a symbol, and so is my presence here,” she said.
As I was speaking to this woman, name Fatimah, another walked by saying "It's just a name" & to get over it #Vancouver #DonaldTrump #uspoli pic.twitter.com/HYAAjRVWDK
— Ashley Wadhwani (@ashwadhwani) February 28, 2017
Some critics of Tuesday’s protest argued this isn’t the leader of Canada, and boycotting the hotel will only hurt Vancouver’s tourism industry.
“If the Hilton’s can have a hotel then why can’t Trump have a hotel here?” asked Vancouver resident Joe Taylor.
“[His] presidency and business are two different things… if he keeps that separate he’ll do fine,” he said, adding that Trump doesn’t actually own the hotel.
A few #Trump supporters here including this one who said the @TrumpVancouver is a "good investment" into Vancouver tourism pic.twitter.com/ZWaZ13h2Po
— Ashley Wadhwani (@ashwadhwani) February 28, 2017
Another protester, Michelle Fortin, said it’s imperative that people put “their money where their hearts are.”
“I think if you are informed, and you understand that behind the brand is also a belief system, if you choose to stay at any of his hotels or purchase any of the clothing line or home line, what you’re saying is mysogony, racism, homophobia and lack of inclusion is what you stand for,” she said. “There are other really great hotels that don’t have those things attached to their brand.”
RELATED: Racist incidents in B.C. spark concern among defenders of tolerance
The rally outside the hotel is expected to stay all day, according to organizers, and a march is scheduled for 4 p.m. starting at Jack Poole Plaza.
@ashwadhwaniashley.wadhwani@bpdigital.caLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.