The American Cancer Society, one of the most influential nonprofits in the nation, joined with several other charities to move previously scheduled events from President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate.
A spokeswoman for the Atlanta-based nonprofit said the event was the “2018 Island of Palm Beach Gala at Mar-a-Lago.”
The events included a Feb. 20 dinner for donors and sponsors and a Feb. 22 gala. It was too early to say how many people were to attend.
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“When we chose to hold our 2018 event and related dinner at Mar-a-Lago, we selected the venue based on a variety of factors, including costs and venue requirements,” according to a statement issued by the ACS. “Our values and commitment to diversity are critical as we work to address the impact of cancer in every community. It has become increasingly clear that the challenge to those values is outweighing other business considerations.”
Trump has come under intense criticism following his remarks about the racially-charged violence at the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Va. last weekend.
During the protests, a 32-year-old woman, Heather Heyer, was killed after authorities said a car driven by an Ohio man, slammed into cars and demonstrators protesting the rally.
The statment went on to say that other venues are being considered.
During a face-to-face with reporters days after the violence in Virginia, Trump placed blame on both sides.
“You had a group on one side that was bad. You had a group on the other side that was also very violent. Nobody wants to say that. I’ll say it right now.”
In addition to the American Cancer Society, the Cleveland Clinic, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the Susan G. Komen Foundation were all cancelling events there, according to CNN and the Palm Beach Post.
Also after Trump’s remarks, a number of prominent CEOs stepped down from his business councils.
