Doral council votes 3-2 to let Donald Trump keep the key to the city

Five months ago, Doral’s council presented Donald Trump with the key to the city.

“I feel so proud,” Mayor Luigi Boria told the owner of the Trump National Doral. “On behalf of the residents of the city of Doral, and on behalf of our city council, to give you the keys of the city of Doral because I think you deserve it. Thank you for what you’ve done.”

Then in June, as Trump announced his GOP candidacy for president, he accused Mexican immigrants of “bringing crime, drugs and rape” to the United States.

Wednesday night, Mexican-born Doral Vice Mayor Sandra Ruiz proposed a motion to publicly denounce Trump and demand the city take back its key. About 75 people, representing a coalition of residents, Hispanic labor unions, business interests, student and political organizations, came to City Hall to protest Trump.

Outside the council chambers, they chanted: “Donald Trump ... You’re fired!”

Inside the chambers, protesters held signs reading “Dump The Trump,” “Trump, You're Fired” and “What Do The People Say? Trump Out.”

Councilman Pete Cabrera requested all banners be removed from the chambers; the rest of the council shot down him down.

"If you can't take away Trump's key, I suggest the city change all the locks," said speaker Adrian Madriz, 27, who addressed the council in Spanish, even though he speaks English and was educated in the United States.

Several Doral residents said at the meeting the council shouldn’t give Trump so much importance.

After more than an hour of discussion, the council rejected Ruiz’s motion to take back the key.

Boria, Cabrera and Councilwoman Ana Maria Rodriguez voted no; Ruiz and Councilwoman Christi Fraga voted yes.

The mayor said during the discussion that it was inappropriate to waste the city’s time on a such a “political issue.”

This story was originally published August 5, 2015 at 9:08 PM with the headline "Doral council votes 3-2 to let Donald Trump keep the key to the city."