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发帖数: 1998 | 1 (CNN)The billionaire owner of Equinox is planning a high-dollar Hamptons
fundraiser for President Donald Trump, leading to calls for a boycott of the
luxury gym and its associated businesses SoulCycle and Blink Fitness.
Real estate developer Stephen Ross -- who is chairman and majority owner of
the Related Companies, which oversees Equinox Fitness -- will host a
luncheon on Friday, according to the invitation, at which attendees will pay
up to $100,000 for a picture with the President and $250,000 to listen in
on a roundtable discussion.
The Washington Post first reported the fundraiser, sparking the outrage. The
news didn't sit well with some people who frequent the gym, who assailed it
as supporting a President whose inflammatory rhetoric and policies
targeting people of color are out of sync with the gym's progressive and
oftentimes famous clientele.
"Hey @Equinox - what's your policy for canceling memberships once a member
finds out your owner is enabling racism and mass murder?" comedian Billy
Eichner asked.
"Sorry @soulcycle ... you can't peddle 'inspiration' in your classes and
have an owner funding hate and racism in the back room," actor Conrad
Ricamora wrote. "Byyyeeeeeeeeeee."
Related Companies chairman Stephen Ross attends the grand opening of the
Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards on Thursday, March 14, 2019, in New
York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Related Companies chairman Stephen Ross attends the grand opening of the
Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards on Thursday, March 14, 2019, in New York
. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Ross responded in a statement to CNN, saying that "I have always been an
active participant in the democratic process. ... I have known Donald Trump
for 40 years, and while we agree on some issues, we strongly disagree on
many others and I have never been bashful about expressing my opinions. ...
I have been, and will continue to be, an outspoken champion of racial
equality, inclusion, diversity, public education and environmental
sustainability, and I have and will continue to support leaders on both
sides of the aisle to address these challenges."
Samantha Bonizzi, a spokesperson for Equinox and SoulCycle, told CNN, "
Neither Equinox nor SoulCycle have anything to do with the event later this
week and do not support it. As is consistent with our policies, no company
profits are used to fund politicians."
She added, "We are committed to all our members and the communities we live
in. We believe in tolerance and equality, and will always stay true to those
values. Mr. Ross is a passive investor and is not involved in the
management of either business."
The Trump campaign has not responded to CNN's request for comment.
In a sign that the uproar may not be limited to boycott threats on Twitter,
Equinox was added to a list of companies to boycott by Shannon Coulter, a
self-described consumer advocate who manages Grab Your Wallet, a protest
group that targets companies that support the Trump administration.
She said she was adding the company to her list Wednesday morning and
encouraged supporters to contact Related Companies. Their demand: "Cancel
the Hamptons fundraiser. After that, it will only be possible to be removed
if Stephen Ross is no longer with Related Companies."
LGBTQ publications seemed to be especially offended.
The Advocate magazine noted that while Equinox has "sold itself" as an LGBTQ
-friendly business, the Trump administration has stripped "Obama-era
protections in schools for trans youth," banned transgender troops and
opposed the Equality Act, "amid other outwardly hostile stances toward the
LGBTQ community."
And in a sign that the outrage could be spreading to other Related Companies
businesses, Out magazine Editor-in-Chief Phillip Picardi called for fashion
designers to boycott Hudson Yards in New York City -- one of the largest
and priciest real estate developments in US history (and home to CNN offices
) -- for Fashion Week.
Picardi wrote on Twitter, "FYI I'm hearing designers for #NYFW are being
offered Hudson Yards/the Vessel as a show space. Please, please: Don't give
this man any more publicity or funds."
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills also criticized Ross, who owns the
team and a related nonprofit dedicated to equality in sports. "You can't
have a non profit with this mission statement then open your doors to Trump,
" Stills wrote on Twitter.
Though it's early in the campaign to boycott Equinox, the move could be a
boon for competitors.
On Instagram, users shared a message expressing hope that competing gyms
such as Gold's, Crunch or 24 Hour Fitness would run promotions to get their
business, so as to "take your money out of the hands" of Trump. Others
expressed hope that Flywheel would welcome them in.
"I regret to inform you that the massive amounts of money you spend thinking
it would go toward improving your health...is also going to Trump," Betches
Media warned in its popular newsletter for young women.
"Stephen Ross, owner of Equinox, SoulCycle, PURE Yoga, and Blink Fitness, is
hosting a massive fundraiser in Southampton this weekend for Donald Trump.
This is the best reason I've ever heard for finally canceling that expensive
gym membership. See you all at FlyWheel!" they wrote.
CNN's Betsy Klein contributed to this report. |
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