Mesa hotel cancels Council on Islamic-American Relations event, says it received threats
The Arizona chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations, or CAIR, says its annual banquet will continue as planned this month at a new location — after the Sheraton Mesa Hotel at Wrigleyville West cancelled plans to host it.
This year's event is hosting U.S. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib of Michigan — an outspoken critic of Israel’s ongoing bombardment in Gaza.
Health officials in the Palestinian territory report that more than 10,000 people have been killed in airstrikes that began there last month, after a Hamas attack that Israeli authorities estimate killed at least 1,400 people in Israel on Oct. 7.
CAIR-AZ Executive Director Azza Abuseif says Tlaib was scheduled to attend the banquet long before last month. But a few weeks ago, a petition began circulating that called on the hotel to drop the event. Abuseif says that’s when she got in contact with the hotel and the Mesa Police Department.
"We were trying to make sure we have all our ducks in a row, in case someone does call the hotel and make a threat," she said.
The Sheraton in Mesa hosted CAIR-AZ's annual banquet in 2017, when armed protesters gathered outside. Abuseif says back then, the hotel worked with her organization to make sure the event could go on safely.
It seemed like things were on track again this year until last week, when the hotel’s manager, Kevin Thorpe, called to say it was canceling because of threats received, but would not elaborate.
"He basically told me that they're not planning on honoring their contract any longer, due to alleged threats they'd gotten since Friday," she said.
A spokeswoman with Mesa police says police were alerted to a suspicious email and a phone call made to the hotel. Both were reviewed and determined not to contain specific threats.
Neither Thorpe nor other Sheraton management responded to requests for comment.
Abuseif says the event has a new venue, but declined to give specifics, citing safety concerns.
