Liberals claimed CPAC stage was Nazi symbol. But company whose founder is 'very liberal' designed stage.



Liberals claimed over the weekend that the stage used at the Conservative Political Action Conference resembled symbols used by German Nazis.

But, as it turned out, the stage was designed by a Maryland-based company that designed stages for President Joe Biden and whose owner is a Biden supporter.

Who designed the stage?

According to Forward, the company responsible for designing the stage, Design Foundry, said the stage was designed to make best use of the conference space — not to propagate Nazi hate.
The company told Forward that it "had no idea that the design resembled any symbol, nor was there any intention to create something that did."
In fact, the contract between Design Foundry and the American Conservative Union — the umbrella organization that hosts CPAC — stipulates that Design Foundry alone is responsible for the stage design.
"The designs, renderings, drawings, specifications, materials and other documents used or created as part of the proposal are owned by Design Foundry," the contract states, according to Forward.
Meanwhile, Design Foundry has also worked with MSNBC, Google, Target, and Citibank, among other major companies.
Additionally, journalist Yashar Ali revealed that Design Foundry has worked with Biden and that the company's owner is "very liberal" and supports Biden.
I know Design Foundry because they handle design for many events in DC for companies like MSNBC & Target.They oversaw the design for the Biden Cancer Summit in 2018.The owner, Annie, is very liberal and was so excited for Biden's victory. Great work conspiracy theorists.

Also worth noting that many of her employees are liberal. So many of you decided to go after something without any reporting or knowledge about who was responsible for the design.And before you ding her for working for CPAC, you try having an events business during a pandemic.
1. I know Design Foundry because they handle design for many events in DC for companies like MSNBC & Target.They… https://t.co/bif3DfB1CF
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@Yashar Ali 🐘)1614748714.0

What is the background?

Viral social media posts claimed over the weekend the stage used at CPAC was designed to resemble Nazi insignia.

"Has anyone else noticed the shape of the CPAC stage is the Odal Rune/SS insignia?" one post claimed.

Has anyone else noticed the shape of the CPAC stage is the Odal Rune/SS insignia? https://t.co/TCns4B1tq8
— The Daily Beans Podcast (@The Daily Beans Podcast)1614370746.0

"The #CPAC stage is designed to be a rune used by the Nazis. Curious if @Hyatt is okay with Nazi symbols being used on their properties like this?" another viral post by Morgan J. Freeman — the filmmaker, not the actor — claimed.

The #CPAC stage is designed to be a rune used by the Nazis. Curious if @Hyatt is okay with Nazi symbols being used… https://t.co/w83LPVtMKY
— Morgan J. Freeman (@Morgan J. Freeman)1614447842.0

Despite objections from CPAC organizers saying their stage was not, in fact, a Nazi symbol, Hyatt Hotels, which hosted CPAC at the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, Florida, appeared to lend legitimacy to the outcry by responding to the charges.

"We take the concern raised about the prospect of symbols of hate being included in the stage design at CPAC 2021 very seriously as all such symbols are abhorrent and unequivocally counter to our values as a company," Hyatt said.

What did CPAC say?

The organization said it would no longer work with Design Foundry.

"It's clear that the company we retained designed a stage that has become an unwelcome distraction. As a result, we will not be using that company's services going forward at future events," Ian Walters, director of communications for the ACU and CPAC, told Forward.

‘They’re CUTTING YOU OFF’: Hyatt Hotels SLAMS CPAC for hateful stage?!

‘They’re CUTTING YOU OFF’: Hyatt Hotels SLAMS CPAC for hateful stage?!

Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Hyatt Hotels says it is taking seriously criticism about CPAC's stage shape as social media claims 'abhorrent' shape is Nazi hate symbol



Hyatt Hotels says it is taking seriously social media claims that insist the CPAC 2021 stage was inspired by a rune that Nazis used on their uniforms, Insider reported.

The 2021 Conservative Political Action Conference took place at the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, Florida, over the weekend, and the hotel chain is facing calls for boycotts after the conservative political event.

What are the details?

In a late Sunday statement, Hyatt Hotels Corporation said that hate symbols are "abhorrent" after tweets comparing the CPAC presenter stage shape to a Nordic rune that appeared on Nazi uniforms during and around World War II.

Users said that the shape of the stage was far too close for comfort when compared to a Nordic "Odal rune," the SS insignia, and that the Anti-Defamation League previously classified the insignia as a hate symbol.

One now-viral social media post read, "Has anyone else noticed the shape of the CPAC stage is the Odal Rune/SS insignia?"

Has anyone else noticed the shape of the CPAC stage is the Odal Rune/SS insignia? https://t.co/TCns4B1tq8
— The Daily Beans Podcast (@The Daily Beans Podcast)1614370746.0

Filmmaker Morgan J. Freeman — not the actor — also put out a viral tweet about the stage design, writing, "The #CPAC stage is designed to be a rune used by the Nazis. Curious if @Hyatt is okay with Nazi symbols being used on their properties like this?"

The #CPAC stage is designed to be a rune used by the Nazis. Curious if @Hyatt is okay with Nazi symbols being used… https://t.co/w83LPVtMKY
— Morgan J. Freeman (@Morgan J. Freeman)1614447842.0

What did the hotel say?

In response to the outcry, the hotel corporation said, "We take the concern raised about the prospect of symbols of hate being included in the stage design at CPAC 2021 very seriously as all such symbols are abhorrent and unequivocally counter to our values as a company."

According to the Washington Post, "The hotel noted that it allowed the event to continue after organizers 'told us that any resemblance to a symbol of hate is unintentional.'"

The company also insisted that CPAC and the American Conservative Union were solely responsible for the stage design and all other related conference logistics.

Reuters also reported that the ceiling of the conference room featured a "lighting display in the same shape as the stage."

What else is there to know?

Matt Schlapp, who is chair of the American Conservative Union, hit back and said that the criticism was "outrageous and slanderous."

"We have a long standing commitment to the Jewish community," Schlapp said in the statement. "Cancel culture extremists must address antisemitism within their own ranks. CPAC proudly stands with our Jewish allies, including those speaking from this stage."

Stage design conspiracies are outrageous and slanderous. We have a long standing commitment to the Jewish community… https://t.co/cupHpMKVje
— Matt Schlapp (@Matt Schlapp)1614458864.0

Anything else?

Social media users over the weekend also called for people to boycott the hotel chain for hosting the conservative event.

Following the demands to "cancel" Hyatt, the hotel group released the following statement:

We take pride in operating a highly inclusive environment and we believe that the facilitation of gatherings is a central element of what we do as a hospitality company. We believe in the right of individuals and organizations to peacefully express their views, independent of the degree to which the perspectives of those hosting meetings and events at our hotels align with ours. Our own values support a culture that is characterized by empathy, respect and diversity of opinions and backgrounds, and we strive to bring this to light through what we do and how we engage with those in our care.

Hyatt Hotels fires back at Democrats demanding boycott of hotel chain for hosting CPAC



Hyatt Hotels responded to critics on Friday who demanded a boycott of the hotel chain over its decision to host the 2021 Conservative Political Action Conference at the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, Florida.

What did the hotel say?

A spokesperson for Hyatt said Hyatt is committed to providing "a safe and inclusive environment" to "care for people so they can be their best."

The statement further added that Hyatt believes in diversity of thought, which made hosting CPAC a no-brainer.

We take pride in operating a highly inclusive environment and we believe that the facilitation of gatherings is a central element of what we do as a hospitality company. We believe in the right of individuals and organizations to peacefully express their views, independent of the degree to which the perspectives of those hosting meetings and events at our hotels align with ours. Our own values support a culture that is characterized by empathy, respect and diversity of opinions and backgrounds, and we strive to bring this to light through what we do and how we engage with those in our care.

CPAC is typically hosted just outside of Washington, D.C., in National Harbor, Maryland. However, COVID-related restrictions forced conference organizers to relocate the annual event to Florida this year.

What is the background?

Democrats angry that Hyatt agreed to host the annual gathering of Republicans are calling for a boycott of Hyatt.

The hashtag "#BoycottHyatt" has been trending on social media, with thousands of angry people declaring to never give their business to Hyatt again. Many people even alleged that Hyatt was siding with Nazis and white supremacists by hosting CPAC at one of its properties.

  • "Hey @Hyatt, we're boycotting your hotels for supporting and allowing white supremacists to hold CPAC at your Orlando location. I travel a lot, and you just lost my business, and I'll tell everyone I know to do the same. Shame on you," one person said.
  • "Dear @Hyatt since you are hosting the seditionists who are trying to over throw our government & spread the 'Big Lie', my husband, family & I will no longer be staying at your properties when we travel," another person said.
  • "The people at cpac started an insurrection that killed a cop and injured over one hundred cops and they aren't sorry. They aren't wearing masks. So I know I will never stay at another Hyatt again because if that's how u define inclusive, I'm out," another person said.
  • "A platform for hate is not inclusive, Hyatt. A platform to spread the Big Lie that spawned a violent insurrection and is now fomenting another threatened one is not inclusive. Neutrality with nazis is endorsement of nazis," another person said.
  • "Looks like we must #boycottHYATT immediately for supporting Nazis!! @Hyatt you're making a monumental mistake! We the people do not tolerate racist bull s***!!" another person said.

Anything else?

Former President Donald Trump will close out CPAC on Sunday by delivering the final speech of the conference.

Axios reported last week that Trump is planning to claim "total control" of the Republican Party during his speech, which will be the first of his post-presidential career. Sources told Axios that Trump will present himself to supporters as the "presumptive 2024 nominee" in a "show of force."

Trump senior adviser Jason Miller told Axios, "Trump effectively is the Republican Party. The only chasm is between Beltway insiders and grassroots Republicans around the country. When you attack President Trump, you're attacking the Republican grassroots."