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Which NYC Hotel Will Host Ahmadinejad?

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 304 East 42nd Street [map], New York, NY, United States, 10017
August 22, 2011 at 9:18 AM | by | Comments (0)

Looking to vent a little anger? Here's one cause you might want to know about. Since 2009, a group of NYC residents, and other like-minded individuals, have been rallying to protest any hotel that would deign to accommodate Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad when he stops by for the annual UN General Assembly meeting in September. Well, it's that time of year again!

The meeting, which takes place from Tuesday 13 to Thursday 22, draws all 193 members of the United Nations, and provides a chance for countries to cover as many global issues as possible. But just like any other business meeting, public event, or nerd convention, the participants need some place to stay! To whom will the unwelcome burden fall in 2011?

United Against Nuclear Iran has set up a special page on their website to single out which hotels explicitly boycotted Ahmadinejad's stay, and which ones obliged. Last year, the Tudor Hilton Manhattan East hosted the Iranian President and his delegation. But they were quickly black-listed by UANI (the site features their logo, big and bold, next to a photo of Ahmadinejad). Will they make the same mistake again?

In addition to denying him actual reservations, hotels were also active in prohibiting Ahmadinejad from attending any events, dinners, and rallies during which he would make speeches. The Helmsley New York set a trend that two other hotels quickly followed.

This article offers a link to a letter sent to NYC hotels by UANI President Mark D. Wallace.

As most of you know, the UN building is located in midtown east, in the forties, along the East River. While not exactly a thriving commercial center, the area does include a few hotels of note, such as the Beekman Tower and on of our favorites, The Pod.

What do you think, hotel experts? Is it wrong for Manhattan hotels to host the Iranian big cheese during his stay? Sound off in the comments below!

[Photo: The Swash]

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