Prominent charities are canceling events at Mar-a-Lago, President Trump’s resort in Florida.
They follow business leaders who distanced themselves from Trump this week after he insisted that counter-protesters shared blame for the violence at a deadly white supremacist gathering in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Here’s what the charities have to say about the change of plans.
The American Red Cross
“The American Red Cross has decided we cannot host our annual fundraising event at Mar-a-Lago, as it has increasingly become a source of controversy and pain for many of our volunteers, employees and supporters. We believe this action will allow us to continue to put the focus on our lifesaving mission and the people we serve. The Red Cross provides assistance without discrimination to all people in need, regardless of nationality, race, religious beliefs, or political opinions, and we must be clear and unequivocal in our defense of that principle.”
The Salvation Army
“The Salvation Army relies heavily on fundraising events like The Holiday Snow Ball in Palm Beach to further our mission of helping those in need through a range of social services including food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, clothing and shelter for the homeless, and opportunities for the underprivileged. Because the conversation has shifted away from the purpose of this event, we will not host it at Mar-a-Lago.”
The American Cancer Society
“Our values and commitment to diversity are critical as we work to address the impact of cancer in every community. It has become increasingly clear that the challenge to those values is outweighing other business considerations.
“With our volunteer leaders, we are exploring other opportunities and potential venues. The generous support of community volunteers and donors are critical to our life-saving mission. Only by coming together will we solve our society’s most difficult challenges, including reducing the pain and suffering from cancer.”
Cleveland Clinic
“After careful consideration, Cleveland Clinic has decided that it will not hold a Florida fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago in 2018. We thank the staff of Mar-a-Lago for their service over the years.”
Leaders in Furthering Education (LIFE)
The organization’s president, Lois Pope, is urging the board to abandon Mar-a-Lago for a gala in December. Pope said:
“America was founded on the principles of life, liberty and justice for all. In the 241 years since, millions of Americans of all religions, races, creeds, color, gender and sexual orientation have died — and millions more have been disabled — fighting to protect these values and freedoms.
“Now, however, our great nation is under siege by those who seek to undermine and obliterate these principles. Indeed, the hatred, vitriol and Anti-Semitic and racist views being spewed by Neo-Nazis and White Supremacists are repugnant and repulsive — and they are antithetical to everything that this country, and I personally stand for. And anyone who would demonstrate even a modicum of support for them by insisting that there are ‘good people’ among them is not deserving of my personal patronage or that of my foundations.
“Therefore, I am recommending to my board that we move this year’s 24th Annual Lady in Red Gala on December 2 — the proceeds of which benefit those very millions of men and women of all persuasions who have fought with courage and sacrifice in defense of America’s ideals — from the Mar-A-Lago Club.
“I want my children, grandchildren and great grandson to know that standing up to hatred and discrimination in all forms is both a personal responsibility and the right thing to do.”
–CNNMoney’s Jackie Wattles contributed to this report.
