Local Activist Group Plans Protest at Westin Pasadena on Monday

A local activist group has announced it plans to demonstrate outside the Westin Pasadena on Monday night to demand that the hotel’s General Manager Carl Sprayberry resign.

A spokesperson for the group, called Pasadenans and Altadenans Against Police Violence, said Sprayberry mishandled the aftermath of an incident at the hotel last week in which an African-American hotel guest and her daughter were reportedly asked by an unidentified white man multiple times if they had showered before getting into the hotel pool.

The guest, a Texas woman named Carle Wheeler, videotaped the incident unfold as hotel employees, including Sprayberry, arrived to sort out what had occurred. Wheeler’s video went viral around the world.

In the video Sprayberry is heard to say as he arrives that he doesn’t know what is going on. He orders the man to leave the area and asks Wheeler to step to a place area where he can speak with her.

When she objects loudly that the man was permitted to leave, Sprayberry said “I don’t want to call the police.”

Sprayberry went on to say the man was a guest of the hotel and that he will “talk to him.”

When Wheeler asks Sprayberry what he suggests she say to her children when they ask why the man singled them out to ask them if they had showered, Sprayberry said to tell them “He’s not a very nice man.”

In the end, Sprayberry suggests that Wheeler return to enjoy the pool.

Pasadenans and Altadenans Against Police Violence spokesperson Ian Jameson said Sunday that Sprayberry’s actions were “appalling” for his for failure to act to identify the man and to evict the “racist patron.”

“Sprayberry’s actions are unacceptable; he must resign or be removed from his position.,” Jameson said.

On Facebook, Westin Hotels & Resorts issued a statement saying that “The Westin Pasadena strives to provide a welcoming environment to all individuals. Harassment on any basis is not tolerated. We are continuing to investigate this serious matter and deeply regret that one of our guests experienced this type of behavior.”

Jameson said his group will protest outside the Westin and hold up picket signs demanding Sprayberry’s resignation on Monday evening from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The hotel is located at 191 North Los Robles Avenue in Pasadena.