Posted on 03/24/2016 3:28:47 PM PDT by Dartman
HAMILTON -- An influx of Garth Brooks fans to Hamilton is temporarily pushing some Syrian refugee families out.
Various local media reports say more than 200 Syrian refugees were bumped from their accommodations at downtown Hamilton hotels to make way for thousands of Brooks fans who already booked rooms.
The country music legend is playing a series of concerts in the city Thursday through Sunday night. Reports say the refugees were shuttled to St. Catharines -- about 55 kilometres away -- to stay at another hotel for the duration of the shows.
Wesley Urban Ministries handles the reception of some government-assisted refugees, helping them find places to stay as they search for permanent housing in the region.
Requests for comment to Wesley Urban Ministries were not returned on Thursday. Both the office of Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger and management for Brooks also didn't respond to questions.
Brooks rolls into Hamilton on Thursday night as part of a global comeback tour launched in late 2014. It's the first time he's played the city in nearly 20 years.
Five shows are scheduled over four days at the FirstOntario Centre.
The first Hamilton show sold out within 45 minutes after tickets went on sale in January. Promoters quickly announced four additional shows, including a second performance on Saturday night.
Many of the hotel rooms were booked around that time.
Brooks is one of country's most endearing stars with hit singles like "Friends in Low Places" and "Thunder Rolls."
His wife Trisha Yearwood, whose most popular songs include "How Do I Live" and "Georgia Rain," will also take the stage to perform.
the funny thing is I couldn’t give a flying *** if they put them in the ocean.
OUTSTANDING
Love it!
How long before Garth Brooks manger makes a beeline to the nearest microphone and apologizes with free tickets for those bumped ?...1-2-3-
Why the hell are we putting up Syrians in nice hotels when we have thousands of homeless veterans?
You gotta have friends in low places.
This is Canada. THey dont fight any wars. No veterans.
Free loaders bumped for paying customers - who’da thunk.
Oh, I didn’t catch that. I don’t care what Canadians do. I just wish they would take back Ted.
Who’s paying the Syrians’ hotel bills?
Penn State Allumni.
Allumneses? Allumsters?
Anyway, them dudes.
Best place for them. The refugees I mean, not the Garth Brooks fans. Just send them on a slow boat to Africa, and half way across the Atlantic, have a submarine slam a torpedo into the boat.
I’m from Hamilton.
My sister was telling me this morning that a friend of hers did some cleaning at some of the hotels that were housing these refugees. They left quite the mess behind, AND ALL OF THE BIBLES IN THE HOTEL ROOMS WERE DESTROYED.
And we don’t want Ted back. He’s all yours now. We’re just worried about all the crazy lefties that keep threatening to come up here when President Trump starts his first term.
Garth Brooks single-handedly caused the wussification of Country Music, so I think you are spot on.
LOL!
you’re a sick puppy LOL or should I say kitten
Can’t say as I blame you. If you had a second amendment I would consider moving to BC if Hillary wins. Then again if Hillary wins we may not have one either.
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