Story at a glance
- The symbol was adopted by the Nazis as part of their attempt to reconstruct a mythic “Aryan” past, according to the Anti-Defamation League.
- In response, Hyatt issued a statement saying the stage design as well as all other logistics were managed by the American Conservative Union and called such hate symbols “abhorrent.”
- CPAC’s organizers swiftly denied any connection between the design of the stage and Nazi symbols, calling the comparison “outrageous and slanderous.”
Hyatt Hotels responded to online critics over the weekend who alleged the design of the stage at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) being held at the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, Fla., resembled a Norse Rune used by the Nazis during World War II.
Images of the CPAC stage went viral over the weekend as many people pointed out the stage appeared to take the shape of a Norse Rune, a symbol adopted by the Nazis as part of their attempt to reconstruct a mythic “Aryan” past, according to the Anti-Defamation League.
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“The #CPAC stage is designed to be a rune used by the Nazis. Curious if @Hyatt is okay with Nazi symbols being used on their properties like this?” one user tweeted Saturday.
The #CPAC stage is designed to be a rune used by the Nazis. Curious if @Hyatt is okay with Nazi symbols being used on their properties like this? pic.twitter.com/D0332vKKoN
— Morgan J. Freeman (@mjfree) February 27, 2021
Neo-Nazis have been using the Odal Rune sign in place of the swastika for several years.
CPAC’s stage is the same shape.
The pic on the left is from Charlotteville in 2017. pic.twitter.com/6Ylt2U4U3C
— Kimberley Johnson (@AuthorKimberley) February 27, 2021
In response, Hyatt issued a statement saying the stage design as well as all other logistics were managed by the American Conservative Union and called such hate symbols “abhorrent.”
“We take the concern raised about the prospect of symbols of hate being included in the stage design at CPAC 2021 very seriously as all such symbols are abhorrent and unequivocally counter to our values as a company,” Hyatt said. “We discussed directly with ACU leadership who told us that any resemblance to a symbol of hate is unintentional.”
CPAC’s organizers swiftly denied any connection between the design of the stage and Nazi symbols, calling the comparison “outrageous and slanderous.”
“We have a long standing commitment to the Jewish community,” Matt Schlapp, chair of the American Conservative Union, said in a tweet Saturday.
Stage design conspiracies are outrageous and slanderous. We have a long standing commitment to the Jewish community. Cancel culture extremists must address antisemitism within their own ranks. CPAC proudly stands with our Jewish allies, including those speaking from this stage.
— Matt Schlapp (@mschlapp) February 27, 2021
“Cancel culture extremists must address antisemitism within their own ranks. CPAC proudly stands with our Jewish allies, including those speaking from this stage,” Schlapp said.
The fact check website Snopes.com said it was “unproven” that the stage at CPAC 2021 was intentionally designed to resemble the Nazi symbol.
Calls to boycott the hotel chain also swirled around online just for hosting the event that featured conservative speakers such as Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and former President Trump.
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