In Case You Missed It: "Say 'No' to A'jad, NY"

   

In Case You Missed It: "Say 'No' to A'jad, NY" In New York Post Op-Ed, UANI Reveals Warwick Hotel's Irresponsible Decision to Host Ahmadinejad and Delegation Say 'no' to A'jad, NY By Mark D. Wallace New York Post September 3, 2012 In a few short weeks, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will descend on New York City to deliver his "swan song" speech to the UN General Assembly. If the past is any guide, the tyrant will spend his days spewing vitriolic and hateful anti-American and anti-Semitic rhetoric, as well as wild and offensive conspiracy theories. And when the sun goes down, he will likely rest his head on a fluffy pillow at the Warwick Hotel on 54th Street. That's right: United Against Nuclear Iran has recently learned that the Warwick is preparing to host Ahmadinejad and his delegation for the second year in a row. This is a true outrage, particularly considering that US Secret Service and NYPD will be responsible for securing the premises, at taxpayer expense. Last year, a few city leaders responded to New Yorkers' anger toward the Warwick by suggesting we "grin and bear it" when it comes to hosting Ahmadinejad and other thugs, since the United Nations is good for the city and its economy. We strongly oppose that sentiment -particularly since Ahmadinejad could easily stay at his country's UN mission, as some other world leaders do. Ahmadinejad is entitled to speak at the United Nations, but neither the Warwick nor any other hotel is obliged to provide him VIP treatment and accommodation. Instead, the Warwick should do what other Manhattan hotels have done, and tell Ahmadinejad and his cohorts that they're not welcome here, and never will be. How else should a New York business treat a person who leads a criminal regime, calls 9/11 a "big lie," brutalizes his own people and prominently sponsors terrorism around the world? For this reason, UANI is calling for a boycott of the Warwick and its other properties. We will do whatever it takes to show Americans what the Warwick's values are these days, and remind them that they always have a choice when it comes to where they stay. We are also calling on UNITE HERE and other unions that include Warwick employees to refuse service to Ahmadinejad and his delegation during this last week of September. Iran is supremely hostile to unions and workers' rights, and no worker should be expected to play host to such a regime here in New York. It is time for Americans to say "enough" to a leader who has openly vowed to destroy our allies, is building a nuclear weapon and who has so deeply insulted the people of New York. By refusing Iran's delegation, the Warwick could send a powerful message that it as a business cares about more than just dollars. If it goes ahead with its irresponsible decision, it will only help legitimize this heinous regime. Mark D. Wallace is CEO of United Against Nuclear Iran. He served as US ambassador to the United Nations, representative for UN Management and Reform. Click here to read UANI's August 30 letter to the Warwick. Click here to tell the Warwick New York Hotel not to host Ahmadinejad.   ###                                                                         United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) is a program of the American Coalition Against Nuclear Iran, Inc., a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran should concern every American and be unacceptable to the community of nations. Since 1979 the Iranian regime, most recently under President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's leadership, has demonstrated increasingly threatening behavior and rhetoric toward the US and the West. Iran continues to defy the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United Nations in their attempts to monitor its nuclear activities. A number of Arab states have warned that Iran's development of nuclear weapons poses a threat to Middle East stability and could provoke a regional nuclear arms race. In short, the prospect of a nuclear armed Iran is a danger to world peace. United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) is a non-partisan, broad-based coalition that is united in a commitment to prevent Iran from fulfilling its ambition to become a regional super-power possessing nuclear weapons.  UANI is an issue-based coalition in which each coalition member will have its own interests as well as the collective goal of advancing an Iran free of nuclear weapons. The Objectives of United Against a Nuclear Iran Inform the public about the nature of the Iranian regime, including its desire and intent to possess nuclear weapons, as well as Iran's role as a state sponsor of global terrorism, and a major violator of human rights at home and abroad; Heighten awareness nationally and internationally about the danger that a nuclear armed Iran poses to the region and the world; Mobilize public support, utilize media outreach, and persuade our elected leaders to voice a robust and united American opposition to a nuclear Iran; Lay the groundwork for effective US policies in coordination with European and other allies; Persuade the regime in Tehran to desist from its quest for nuclear weapons, while striving not to punish the Iranian people, and; Promote efforts that focus on vigorous national and international, social, economic, political and diplomatic measures. UANI is led by an advisory board of outstanding national figures representing all sectors of our country.

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