Dispute Over Signs Escalates
Threatening Calls Made to Hotel Supporting McCain, Manager Says

By Avis Thomas-Lester and Megan Greenwell
Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, October 18, 2008

In the week since posting McCain-Palin signs on its front lawn, a Clinton hotel has reported receiving threatening calls but losing little business in predominantly Democratic Prince George's County, according to a hotel manager and the owner's son.

And some community leaders have rallied to support the Colony South Hotel and Conference Center, saying it has the right to express its support for the Republican presidential ticket, even if it runs counter to customers' views.

"We're going down a dangerous road when we try to make people vote a certain way or deny freedom of speech," said Democratic State Sen. C. Anthony Muse (D-Prince George's). "That's not a Democratic club. It's a place of business. They can't deny me a room because I'm black or a Democrat, and I shouldn't be forcing people to withhold their support because they made a certain decision."

The hotel first posted its support for John McCain and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, on its marquis Oct. 6 but took the message down after receiving dozens of complaints. Then, on Oct. 10, large signs touting the GOP ticket were posted on stakes in the front yard. They remained up through yesterday.

Last week, some community leaders suggested a boycott of the hotel, which often hosts local political events as well as a popular karaoke night and Sunday brunch. The hotel management said that no events have been canceled but that there has been a slight drop in walk-in traffic.

The blowup in Clinton is the latest in a string of incidents across the region in which residents have complained of being victimized or intimidated for posting signs in favor of either Democrat Barack Obama or McCain. A pumpkin patch in Annandale with signs supporting McCain was vandalized, and Obama signs in Alexandria were painted with racist epithets.

On Wednesday, the hotel's general manager filed a police report saying that his staff received threatening telephone calls Oct. 6 and again Sunday. "They were different voices," Alan Vahabzadeh said when reached by phone yesterday.

Prince George's police Sgt. Tammy Sparkman said yesterday that an investigator had been assigned to the case but that no suspects had been identified. The police report does not detail who or what was threatened, but Vahabzadeh said two of the calls were directed at him.

County leaders, including those angered by the sign, said yesterday that if threats were made, perpetrators should be held accountable.

"I think everyone involved should just cool down and let this issue go," said Mel Franklin, president of the Greater Marlboro Democratic Club. "It's yesterday's news now."

Michael Chiaramonte, 46, the hotel owner's son and chief executive of Southern Maryland Hospital and chairman of the Greater Prince George's Business Roundtable board of directors, said, "We have gotten to the place where intimidation is used over political disagreement, sadly, and it hurts a little coming from the same community we've worked to support."

Muse said he shared his feelings when contacted by Michael Chiaramonte, as did the Rev. Willie R. Hunt, pastor of New Community Church of God in Christ in Waldorf.

"The man owns the place; it's his prerogative to exercise his free-speech right," Hunt said.

The signs were still a sore subject to some residents. "There are some who seek to redirect the focus," said Arthur Turner, a community activist. "In Prince George's, where there are no Republican elected officials and voters are overwhelmingly Democrats, to thumb their noses by putting up those signs is likewise disrespectful."