VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Police are preparing for protests when President Trump’s two oldest sons officially open a new Trump International Hotel and Tower in Vancouver on Tuesday, and the U.S. consulate is warning Americans to stay away.

Constable Jason Doucette said Monday that authorities expected “a number of marches” downtown throughout the day and police would ensure things remained under control.

The anti-Trump protests are set to take place outside the building while brothers Donald Jr. and Eric Trump attend opening events inside.

The Trump-branded tower is a source of anger for many people who resent the lasting reminder of the U.S. president’s politics in the coastal city that is known for progressive values and diversity.

The U.S. consulate in Vancouver issued a security message to U.S. citizens warning of the planned demonstrations and telling Americans to avoid the Trump tower and the site of another planned demonstration.

Donald Trump arrives with son Donald Trump Jr., daughter Ivanka, and Joo Kim Tiah, CEO and president of Holborn Group, to announce the building of Trump International Hotel and Tower Vancouver. Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press via AP

“Local police will monitor the events. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. You should avoid areas of demonstrations, and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations,” the consulate said.

Advertisement

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, among others, has urged the developer to drop the Trump name. City Councilman Kerry Jang calls the tower a “beacon of racism.”

“The name Trump has now become synonymous not with luxury and lifestyle but with racism, sexism and intolerance. With his name on that building, one of Vancouver’s tallest and most iconic buildings, it just becomes a beacon of racism, and it’s just not Vancouver,” Jang said.

Donald Trump Jr. brushed off his father’s Vancouver detractors in an interview with CTV television last year, calling them “ridiculous” and “disgusting.”

Joo Kim Tiah, a Malaysian who runs the Canada-based Holborn Development company, said he was “extremely stressed” after Trump entered politics well after he signed the partnership agreement with the Trump organization.

“I was terrified,” Joo Kim told The Associated Press last week. “The people who ran the city were not happy with me. I was scared, but I think they understand. They understand that I’m trapped into – not trapped, locked into – an agreement.”

The Vancouver tower is the second Trump-branded property to open since the president took office in January, following a golf course in Dubai.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.

filed under: