The Hotel Harrington in Washington DC announced they will close on January 4, 5 and 6. The hotel—located just a few blocks from the White House—and their bar, Harry's, have become favorites for the self-described "western chauvinist" Proud Boys White supremacist organization.
Both the hotel and bar will be closed during the designated period.
This happens to coincide with the time set for Congress to certify the vote of the electoral college affirming President-elect Joe Biden's win. This will once again bring a "Stop the Steal" rally complete with Proud Boys and other White supremacists, White nationalists and MAGA minions to the city.
The news of the hotel's decision to close broke on Twitter Monday.
In their official statement, Hotel Harrington cited guest and employee safety.
"Washington, D.C. has been our home for 106 years and we join with all of our guests, visitors, staff and neighbors in our concern and desire for everyone's health and safety."
"We greatly appreciate the trust our guests have placed in Hotel Harrington over the years and we wish to continue to earn that trust."
"While we cannot control what happens outside of the hotel, we are taking additional steps to protect the safety of our visitors, guests and employees."
In response, "Stop the Steal" leader Ali Alexander threatened to sue the hotel.
He claimed their decision to close was a violation of his organization's rights before releasing this video on Twitter:
In it, he says:
"Let me just tell the media right now: If something bad happens to the Hotel Harrington, don't ask me to denounce it. I'm not taking your call."
"If something bad happens to the Hotel Harrington because they violated the civil rights, I'll call it karma."
Because of the hotel closing, Alexander is urging protesters to camp out on the streets of DC.
Some wondered how a private business choosing to close was a civil rights violation.
Others felt it was time for Trump supporters to move on.
And some wondered why the current President wouldn't help out his most ardent supporters.
Shouldn't a billionaire who owns a DC hotel be able to give his supporters free rooms?
Congress will certify the election next week. On January 20, President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will be sworn in.
