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Despite promises by Marriott spokesman Keith Thomas
on Monday that signs had already been removed at
the Charlotte Marriott, they remain in place.
Photo: S. Triana
Marriott tells callers “no firearms” signs coming down as part of apparent disinformation campaign.
Marriott CEO J.W. Marriott, Jr. linked to gun control group.
Late Monday afternoon an ostensibly apologetic and congenial Keith Thomas, assistant to CEO J.W. Marriott, Jr., told a Grass Roots North Carolina board member that Marriott had “stepped on a hornet’s nest” and promised to remove signs prohibiting lawful firearms in hotels nationwide. Of the Charlotte Marriott City Center, where signs posted during the NRA convention made inadvertent criminals of conventioneers, Thomas promised signs had already been removed.
But on Tuesday, signs at Marriott properties – including the Charlotte hotel – remained in place while Marriott executives became “unavailable” for, according to office receptionists, a litany of conflicting reasons. Meanwhile, Charlotte Marriott Director of Loss Prevention Sammy Jones refused to comment on the status of signs.
Some gun rights supporters are now expressing concerns that the claim by Thomas was merely a dodge to deflect the thousands of e-mails and phone calls pouring in from around the country. In addition to the mounting boycott “going viral” on gun forums, it was featured by nationally syndicated radio host Tom Gresham on “Gun Talk.”
But evidence suggests a more sophisticated corporate disinformation campaign in operation: By putting out the false message that Marriott is removing signs, the corporation sought to have gun rights activists do its bidding by putting out messages to that effect on Internet forums. Those of us who have spread the “Marriott is pulling signs” message are, in fact, spreading their disinformation. To counter their effort, see “Immediate Action Required” below.
MARRIOTT CEO LINKED TO
‘COALITION TO STOP GUN VIOLENCE’
In what might explain Marriott International’s decision to prohibit lawful firearms in all of its hotels, a reader recently discovered a link between its Chairman and CEO J.W. Marriott, Jr. and a longtime gun control organization, the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, formerly the National Coalition to Ban Handguns.
Run by longtime anti-gun activists Michael Beard and Joshua Horowitz, CSGV’s recent agenda includes registering private gun sales at gun shows, banning semi-automatic firearms, mandating “microstamping” of firearms and generating propaganda against lawful concealed carry.
A March 10, 2010 press release by Marriott lists Mr. Marriott’s accolades and “achievements,” including the following:
“Mr. Marriott is actively involved in various boards and councils including…the board of trustees of the National Urban League…”
Among many left-wing causes advocated by the National Urban League, it is listed prominently among members of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. Does J.W. Marriott, Jr. know his charitable efforts are being used to undermine your rights?
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED
Since Marriott seems to think gun owners are easily fooled, it is time to redouble our efforts and deliver a clear message by taking the following actions:
- Call all Marriott executives on the “Feedback Days” designated below. If they can make outgoing calls, you aren’t really trying. To avoid charges of “harassment” call each executive only once (presuming you manage to reach them) and maintain a civil tone. If you don’t get through to them, keep trying. If you can’t call during the designated hours, call whenever you can. Additional Feedback Days may be designated in the future.
- Counter Marriott’s disinformation campaign: Post the “Marriott lies to gun owners” message on every forum and blog you can find. Failure to do so will allow an anti-gun multi-national corporation to control the message.
FEEDBACK DAYS
Stay tuned for additional days as required.
Wednesday (5/26): 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM (Eastern Daily Time)
Thursday (5/27): 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM (Eastern Daily Time)
Friday (5/28): 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM (Eastern Daily Time)
CONTACT THESE EXECUTIVES
- Keith Thomas: Reports directly to JW Marriott, Jr. himself. Thomas can be reached at Mr. Marriott’s office at either keith.thomas@marriott.com or 800-621-0999.
- Kathleen Matthews, Executive Vice President, Global Communications and Public Affairs:
- Kathleen.Matthews@marriott.com, 301-380-7770. Her assistant, Marilyn Cole, is available at: marilyn.cole@marriott.com or 301-380-7525.
- Chad Callaghan, Vice President of Loss Prevention: chad.callaghan@marriott.com. His assistant, Pat Murphy, is available at 301-380-7814. His pager is: 800-313-9391.
DELIVER THIS MESSAGE
- Keith Thomas, assistant to JW Marriott, promised that signs prohibiting lawful gun owners from protecting themselves and their families on Marriott properties would be removed. Not only are the signs still present, corporate executives have been unresponsive to gun rights leaders attempting to negotiate removal. If Marriott executives think gun owners are so easily fooled, they underestimate the problem on their hands.
- Hilton Hotels, unlike Marriott, has no policy prohibiting firearms in its hotels. Gun owners will be actively pursuing alternatives to Marriott.
- Finally, ask what Mr. Marriott knows about his trustee position with the National Urban League and its participation in Coalition to Stop Gun Violence efforts to strip you of your rights. If they claim lack of awareness, will he resign the position now that league participation is known?
Copyright © F. Paul Valone All rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, scanning, digitizing or any information storage and referral system, without written permission from the publisher. For reprint permission, contact: fpv@fpaulvalone.com
www.GunsPoliticsandFreedom.com
For legislative information, go to:
www.GRNC.org
Comments
Hmmm, I've always liked Motel 6 the best. I can bring my old dog. :) Have not needed a motel room since I started to carry. Think I'll ask them.
Looks like Marriot is another business that cannot be trusted, guess I won't be staying there any time soon.
Now that Marriott has proven beyond doubt that they will lie to advance their own agenda, people must ask the question: What else have they lied about? Have the rooms been cleaned properly? Have the bed linens been washed? Bathroom sanitized? Remember, you're dealing with proven liars who couldn't care less about you. They want your money and will tell any lie to get it.
My RV is looking better and better!
The only way to make it count is to get everyone to boycott, not just gun owners but friends. Corporate cancellations will go a long ways and it should be pointed out that Marriott deliberately lied and as such could not be trusted until those in top positions including the CEO are replaced. We know we got their attention before but now we have to drive the message home and remove the people who lied to us and those that alowed them to lie. We also need to find a way to go to the stockholders and get the message to them directly. Cost them stock dividends and the you know should hit the fan.
I should have known it wouldn't be that easy.
Oh, well.
There are plenty of other hotels to choose from.
It's your loss, Marriott.
Liars are almost never so by accident. Mr. Marriott is no exception.
Rec'd yesterday (5-26) from the Charlotte Marriott an email spouting the same old "Marriott is committed to following all local laws... The safety of our guests is our highest priority" which effectively tells me I can ES&D as far as they're concerned.
AmeriSuites is much more gun-friendly.
I wonder if Marriott supports restrictions on other Constitutional rights for guests of their establishment? Wonder if I have free speech or a reasonable expectation to be free from search and seizure?
Idiots.
Here in Texas, that signage would not constitute legal notice to ban licensed concealed carry in their property. I doubt it follows the legal format for NC. In other words, the sign is just for show, not to ban concealed carry. Which it does not do.
Call the Marriott at 1-800-621-0999 abd ask to speak to Keith Thomas. Always be polite. Ask him if the Marroitt has taken down their signs. There are an estimated 6,000,000 carry permit holders in the United States. We do not have to stay at high dollar places that don't like citizens!
"Hilton Hotels, unlike Marriott, has no policy prohibiting firearms in its hotels. Gun owners will be actively pursuing alternatives to Marriott."
The Hilton Homewood Suites in Houston is posted with the statutory language that forbids CHL carry. The lettering on the sign may be somewhat smaller than the law requires, but he intent is clearly there. I just noticed this recently, haven't had time to check other Hilton properties.
And you want us to spread the word?????
Copyright © F. Paul Valone All rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, scanning, digitizing or any information storage and referral system, without written permission from the publisher. For reprint permission, contact: fpv@fpaulvalone.com
Looks like I will be looking to cancel my reservations. I do not want the Marriot Board to worry about my S&W MP-45 and M1-A when I go to Camp Perry. When "SECONDS" count the police are minutes away.
"Hilton Hotels, unlike Marriott, has no policy prohibiting firearms in its hotels."
Not according to Hilton Customer Service. I received the following email when asking about Hilton's gun policy:
Dear Mr. Zeisler,
Thank you for your message to Hilton Reservations and Customer Care. It is my pleasure to assist you today with with regards to our Hand Gun policy.
To further clarify your concerns; it is our policy that we do not allow anyone (including off duty law enforcement officers) to possess firearms in any of our hotels. The only exceptions are:
A. Sworn federal, state or local law enforcement officers while on official business and, when off duty, when required to carry weapons in the jurisdiction by statute, ordinance or rule, or an exception otherwise made by a Regional Senior Vice President.
B. Insured and/or bonded armored car service employees under contract to the hotel, hotel guests, tenants or concessionaires, when required by law or for insurance.
C. Airline flight crew members authorized by federal law who have current and valid credentials issued by the Department of Homeland Security/TSA as Federal Flight Deck Officers ("FFDOs").
I appreciate this opportunity to assist you and thank you for your continued loyalty! If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to let us know. For immediate assistance, please click on the link below for the contact number of the HHonors Service Center nearest you:
http://hhonors1.hilton.com/en_US/hh/customersupport.do?it=Not,HeadCustomer.
Best regards,
Cameron Smith
Supervisor
Customer Care Email Department
Hilton Reservations & Customer Care
www.hiltonworldwide.com
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