In a Monday night vote the West Hollywood City Council approved a proposal that called for removal of President Donald Trump’s star from the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The city council vote was unanimous and the resolution approved calling upon the Los Angeles City Council and Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to remove the star in the Walk of Fame which has been the subject of much recent controversy and conflict.
ABC News reported Tuesday morning that the city council now will communicate their recommendation to other local municipalities. The council will send a formal letter to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, the Los Angeles City Council and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and ask them to agree to their action also.
John D’Amico and Lindsey Horvath, West Hollywood City Council members, proposed the resolution calling for removal of the president’s star, citing Trump’s treatment of women and the many claims of sexual harassment and assault which have been brought against him.
The resolution reads:
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“The City Council will consider adopting a resolution urging the Los Angeles City Council and Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to remove President Donald J. Trump’s star from the Hollywood Walk of Fame, due to his disturbing treatment of women and other actions that do not meet the shared values of the City of West Hollywood, the region, state, and country.”
“Having a ‘star’ on the Walk of Fame is a privilege that is highly sought after by those in the entertainment industry, allowing Mr. Trump to continue to have a star in light of his behavior toward women, particularly in the #timesup and #metoo movements, should not be acceptable in the Hollywood and entertainment industry communities.”
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has previously said that it would not remove stars because of a potential backlash from fans. However the West Hollywood City Council made very clear in its resolution that the Walk of Fame is not part of Hollywood but is the “property of the City of Los Angeles.” As a result, it is the City of Los Angeles which has the “ultimate responsibility for the condition and maintenance of the Walk of Fame.”
Trump’s star, which was placed on the Walk of Fame in 2007, has been vandalized multiple times in recent months.
Just last week a man named Austin Clay tried to destroy it with a pickaxe. After the incident he went public, claiming responsibility for trying to destroy Trump’s star, and turning himself in at the Beverly Hills police headquarters. Clay was later bailed out of jail by another man who had vandalized the star several years ago, James Otis.
I am a lifelong Democrat with a passion for social justice and progressive issues. I have degrees in writing, economics and law from the University of Iowa.
