Since Donald Trump blamed "both sides" for the deadly violence in Charlottesville last weekend, 16 charities have canceled their events at his Mar-a-Lago golf club.
On Friday, The American Red Cross said it nixed their plan to host their annual International Red Cross ball at the Palm Beach resort because of Trump's response to the events in Charlottesville were controversial and distressing to their supporters.
"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”, the Red Cross said in a statement.
"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."
Five other charities have cancelled their events at the club in the past 24 hours, including the Cleveland Clinic — the leading academic hospital, the American Cancer Society, and the Friends of Magen David Adom, the Israeli Red Cross, according to an updated list from the Palm Beach Daily News. In addition, the Salvation Army, the Autism Project of Palm Beach County and Susan G Komen have all cancelled their events, per the Washington Post.
In January, the American Red Cross was criticized for its decision to hold their gala at the resort because Trump's planned refugee embargo diverged with the foundation of the organization.
Shares