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Show Biz Celebrities Boycott Famous Hollywood Hotel


Officials in Beverly Hills, California have passed a resolution demanding that the Sultan of Brunei sell his interest in the world famous Beverly Hills Hotel -- a playground for the rich and famous and Hollywood elite.

The iconic hotel opened its doors in 1912 -- even before Hollywood was established as the world's movie capital.

The hotel is now owned by an investment group led by the sultan, who last month imposed strict Islamic law in his tiny southeast Asian nation. The law includes a possible death penalty for adultery or homosexuality.

Several Hollywood celebrities are calling for a boycott of the hotel and have picketed outside its doors. Comedian Jay Leno says it is not a political issue, but rather something over which there is no debate.

Television star Ellen DeGeneres says she will refuse to patronize any hotel owned by the sultan's group.

A number of show business groups and others have canceled events scheduled to be held in the hotel.

The U.S. State Department says it has expressed its concerns to Brunei.

The sultan has not commented. But the head of the investment group calls the boycott unfair and says it will only hurt hotel employees.
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