CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The editor of the American Renaissance magazine stood in front of the Government Center in uptown to ask two Charlotte city council members for an apology.
The AR had reserved more than 100 rooms for two nights at the Sheraton Charlotte Airport Hotel off of Interstate 85. The AR wanted to hold its semi-annual conference at the hotel. Last week the hotel canceled the group’s reservations and refunded its deposits.
Jared Taylor said he wants apologies from City Council member Warren Turner and Mayor Pro-tem Patrick Cannon because they worked to keep his group from holding its convention in Charlotte.
"I'm shocked I'm astonished the idea that an elected city council member, the second highest in this city should try to out pressure or imply pressure to chase business away just because he disagree with us,” Taylor said. “Really, really, that's bad behavior."
When we spoke with Cannon, he said he did not send out an e-mail that was against the group coming to Charlotte. He added that he personally did not have enough time to contact all the hotels in the area. And he was just keeping some of his constituents informed.
NewsChannel 36 did obtain a copy of the email sent from Cannon's personal account and it reads:
Subject: Re: Southern Anti-Racist Network
I have all hotels, motels, and gotels on notice and they seem to be cooperating well still. An attempt was made for accommodations at another hotel but based on what I ask to take place they were denied again. It's my thought that they will still try over and over even if they end up in Cabarras County or Rock Hill. I will keep the level of intelligence up as best I can.
The AR says it does not have a hotel for its convention next weekend.
