Group Boycotts Pro-Choice Hotels with Wallets

By Stephanie Samuel, Christian Post Reporter Thursday, January 13, 2011

Life Decisions International is asking travelers to the January pro-life march to resist restaurants, hotels and airlines that give monetary funds to abortion provider Planned Parenthood.

With the 2011 March for Life coming to Washington, D.C., later this month, LDI's director of Communications is advising participants to show their support for the unborn with both their feet and their wallets.

"We are asking pro-life people who will be participating in the March for Life to boycott the hotel chains and restaurants that have refused to end corporate funding to Planned Parenthood," Garvey said in a statement.

Marriott, Hilton, Four Seasons, Kimpton and Starwood are all among the hotel chains LDI officials are urging pro-life walkers to turn away from when making reservations. This means Courtyard, Renaissance, the Weston, W, Four Points, Doubletree and Hampton Inns and Suites are all off limits, explained Garvey.

Off-limit restaurants include Joe's Crab Shack, Bahama Breeze, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse and Hooters.

He also cautioned against traveling on Southwest Airlines which is also on the list.

In a phone interview, Garvey told The Christian Post that LDI follows the donor lists given by Planned Parenthood Federation of American and its local groups throughout the country. When it comes a cross a company name, Garvey said LDI officials confirm the donation and offer them the opportunity to cancel future donations to the abortion provider. If the company refuses, it is then added to the boycott list.

"This is a simple way for every pro-life person to do something tangible for the pro-life movement," Garvey said.

It is also an effective way of supporting the movement as well. LDI boasts that is has gotten commitments from at least 274 corporations to stop funding Planned Parenthood. Of that number, 13 of those companies made commitments in the last six months of 2010.

The boycott, LDI estimates, has cost Planned Parenthood more than $40 million since the project began in 1992.

"The boycott has been one of the most effective strategies in the history of the movement and it is due to people who understand that the way they spend the money God has entrusted to them is important from both a moral and strategic point of view," shared Garvey.

The March for Life, scheduled for Jan. 24, is likely to draw tens of thousands of attendees for the 3-day event. In addition to the march, attendees will converge for a conference with doctors and lawyers. Also, there will be a smaller meeting at Lafayette Park in front of the White House. Everything will culminate with a dinner and keynote address with Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.).

March for Life Fund President Nellie Gray estimated that last year's march brought out almost 400,000 people. She said those who attend are from all over. With the average room rate on Priceline.com at around $300, hotels housing the march participants could stand to make a lot of money, over $120 million combined.

March planners have already blocked off some rooms at the Hyatt for attendees. The Hyatt is not featured on LDI's list. The nonprofit advocacy group did not make recommendations for food and entertainment in the area.

Garvey praised March for Life's efforts and acknowledged that some participants have already booked their stay with a hotel that is on the boycott list. But he encourages them to let management know that they will not come back unless the contribution changes.

For those still making preparations, he encourages them to stick to mom and pop operations for their accommodations and food needs.