UANI Calls on Warwick Hotel and General Manager Drew Schlesinger to Stop Misleading Guests about Ahmadinejad’s Stay and the Resulting Security Measures

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) on Thursday called on the Warwick Hotel and its new General Manager Drew Schlesinger to stop misleading guests about the Warwick’s irresponsible plans to host Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his delegation next week, and the security measures that will result.

“Like most New York City hotels and restaurants”

UANI also announced that it will hold demonstrations at the Warwick throughout the weekend and week.

UANI has obtained a letter that Mr. Schlesinger sent today regarding special arrangements at the hotel. UANI has learned that the Warwick brought on Mr. Schlesinger this month to manage the Ahmadinejad visit.

“Like most New York City hotels and restaurants,” Mr. Schlesinger wrote to individuals who have booked rooms at the Warwick next week, “our doors will be open to participating U.S. officials and international delegates. In deference to them, we will be providing additional security at the hotel.”

What Mr. Schlesinger failed to mention is that the Warwick’s “international delegates” are actually Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his massive delegation, and that its “additional security” will include dozens of US Secret Service and NYPD officers who are funded not by the Warwick, but by taxpayers.

Said UANI Executive Director David Ibsen:

Mr. Schlesinger and the Warwick should be ashamed of themselves for misleading guests about the security situation at their hotel, and about who they are hosting. The Warwick irresponsibly decided to host Ahmadinejad--the leader of the world’s number one state sponsor of terrorism--and his delegation in exchange for a six-figure sum. This is not LIKE other New York City hotels and restaurants, but UNLIKE them. UANI will be demonstrating at the Warwick throughout the weekend and week, to highlight Ahmadinejad’s record and the Warwick’s irresponsible decision.

The Warwick is also not being upfront about the increased security at its hotel and who will be paying for it. Because of its irresponsible decision to host Ahmadinejad and his delegation, the Warwick has compelled both U.S. Secret Service and the NYPD to secure and guard the hotel at taxpayer expense. The Warwick could have, and should have, avoided this entire situation by doing what other Manhattan hotels did, and refusing Iran’s request. If it wasn’t for the Warwick, Ahmadinejad may have had to stay at his country’s mission to the UN, instead of inconveniencing New Yorkers.

Last month, UANI revealed that Ahmadinejad and his delegation will be staying at the Warwick, beginning this Saturday. UANI's campaign has been covered by the Associated Press, Fox 5 News and the New York Post, and was the subject of a Post Op-Ed by UANI CEO, Ambassador Mark D. Wallace: "Say 'no' to A'jad, NY."

Click here to read the Warwick’s letter to its guests.
Click here to express your concerns to the Warwick.
Click here to read UANI's Monday New York Post Op-Ed, "Say 'no' to A'jad, NY."
Click here to learn more about UANI’s Warwick campaign.