Demonstrators gathered outside the new Trump International Hotel and Tower in downtown Vancouver on Tuesday, as the invitation-only grand opening took place inside.
U.S. President Donald Trump鈥檚 two sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, were expected to attend. Police were on scene, both in front and behind a waist-high fence blocking the hotel鈥檚 entrance on West Georgia Street.
More than 100 people stood outside, holding signs and singing the Canadian national anthem.
The $360-million hotel and condo development, with a unique twisting design by late architect Arthur Erickson, had a soft launch last month.
The 69-storey building has become a destination for protests over the president鈥檚 anti-immigrant rhetoric, comments about women and promises to build a wall on the border with Mexico to keep to keep migrants out of the United States.
And Tuesday鈥檚 protest was no different than the handful of others in recent months.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a way to get under his skin 鈥� which he deserves,鈥� said one protester wishing to go by the name Fatimah.
With a sign in hand that read 鈥淭rump: A bad brand for Vancouver,鈥� she said she had nothing against Trump鈥檚 two sons, but doesn鈥檛 believe the 49th U.S. president has truly disentangled himself from his company.
鈥淭hat [sign is] a symbol, and so is my presence here,鈥� she said.
Some critics of Tuesday鈥檚 protest argued this isn鈥檛 the leader of Canada, and boycotting the hotel will only hurt Vancouver鈥檚 tourism industry.
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鈥淚f the Hilton鈥檚 can have a hotel then why can鈥檛 Trump have a hotel here?鈥� asked Vancouver resident Joe Taylor.
鈥淸His] presidency and business are two different things鈥� if he keeps that separate he鈥檒l do fine,鈥� he said, adding that Trump doesn鈥檛 actually own the hotel.
Another protester, Michelle Fortin, said it鈥檚 imperative that people put 鈥渢heir money where their hearts are.鈥�
鈥淚 think if you are informed, and you understand that behind the brand is also a belief system, if you choose to stay at any of his hotels or purchase any of the clothing line or home line, what you鈥檙e saying is mysogony, racism, homophobia and lack of inclusion is what you stand for,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here are other really great hotels that don鈥檛 have those things attached to their brand.鈥�
