The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has canceled a charity golf event it was planning at a Donald Trump-owned golf course, the LA School Report says, making it the latest organization and apparently the first government entity to cut ties with Trump over his comments on immigrants.
Beyond the Bell, LAUSD’s after-school program, was scheduled to host it’s eighth annual charity golf tournament at the Trump National Golf Club in the suburb of Rancho Palos Verdes. Last year, the tournament helped Beyond the Bell raise over $60,000 for musical and artistic activities, and this year’s was anticipated to top $70,000.
Trump has come under severe attack for comments he has made as a presidential candidate about Mexican immigrants.
“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending the best,” Trump said during his June 16 announcement speech. “They’re not sending you, they’re sending people that have lots of problems and they’re bringing those problems. They’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime. They’re rapists and some, I assume, are good people.” More recently Trump has moderated his remarks by saying he is criticizing the Mexican government rather than the Mexican people.
More than 70 percent of LAUSD’s students are Hispanic.
“There was absolutely no reason to host our largest fundraiser at a Trump facility after Donald Trump shared negative immigration comments,”Beyond the Bell executive director Alvaro Cortés said in a statement. “Beyond the Bell is dedicated to serve the underrepresented and uplift underprivileged communities of Los Angeles.”
The district is looking for an alternative venue, but even if it finds one the cancellation will likely cost it a $7,500 deposit. The course has refused to return the money, saying it is unable to resell the Nov. 23 tournament date.
Hundreds of thousands have signed petitions calling for businesses and governments to “dump Trump.” Private entities submitting to the demands include Macy’s and NBC, and the PGA has announced that it will no longer host golf tournaments at Trump-owned courses.
In New York, Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced that the city is reviewing its contracts with Trump to possibly cut ties with him, though legal experts have suggested the government punishing Trump for his speech in this manner is likely illegal. (RELATED: Legal Experts: NYC Mayor Action Against Trump ‘Not The American Way’)
Since LAUSD doesn’t have ongoing contracts with Trump, it’s actions are less likely to be legally dubious.
“We understand that everyone has a right to make comments. Comments that were made … offended us, so we’re going to take our business elsewhere,” said Cortes.
LAUSD has taken many actions to show official support for illegal immigrants. Last year, the district officially declared itself a “safe haven” for illegals, and earlier this year it announced that its staff attorneys will provide legal advice to family members of students trying to avoid deportation. (RELATED: LA Schools Will Fight Thousands Of Deportations)
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