Photo by Sergi Alexander/Getty Images.

Photo by Sergi Alexander/Getty Images.

Less than a week after activists launched a public campaign calling for José Andrés to pull out of a restaurant at Donald Trump’s new D.C. hotel project, they are celebrating success.

The renowned Spanish chef told The Washington Post in a statement that Trump’s anti-immigrant comments are anathema to him, his staff, and guests, and he would thus discontinue work on a planned Spanish restaurant at the Old Post Office Pavilion.

““Donald Trump’s recent statements disparaging immigrants make it impossible for my company and I to move forward with opening a successful Spanish restaurant in Trump International’s upcoming hotel in Washington, D.C.,” he wrote. “More than half of my team is Hispanic, as are many of our guests. And, as a proud Spanish immigrant and recently naturalized American citizen myself, I believe that every human being deserves respect, regardless of immigration status.”

Erick Sanchez, who launched the Change.org petition that garnered more than 2,500 signatures asking Andrés to ditch the Trump project, is thrilled.

“Words can’t describe how proud I am of Jose Andrés,” said Sanchez, who isn’t affiliated with the chef or his ThinkFoodGroup in any way (some might remember Sanchez from his campaign to get Kenny Loggins to play a set in his living room).

“I did this as a D.C. resident, as a Mexican American, as a son of immigrants, as someone who has found his story inspiring,” Sanchez said, adding that he’s planning to go to Andrés’ flagship restaurant Jaleo tonight to celebrate. “I thank him for standing up for immigrants like my father.”

Others also quickly took to Twitter to laud the chef.

The Trumps, though, aren’t likely to let Andres go quickly. Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., told the Post that they would go after Andres for 10 years of rent, per the alleged contract. “Our relationship with José Andrés has always been a good one, but simply put, José has no right to terminate or otherwise abandon his obligations under the lease, ” Trump Jr. wrote in a statement to the Post.

“We will not hesitate to take legal action to recover all unpaid rent for the entire 10 year term together with all attorneys’ fees and additional damages we may sustain. We will also enforce the exclusivity provisions preventing Mr. Andrés from opening a competing restaurant anywhere in the D.C area. Mr. Andrés’ obligations under the lease are clear and unambiguous.”

Still, at least someone is making light of the whole affair. The José Andrés parody account @NoWayJoseAndres has changed its Twitter name to “Lease Breaker Jose.”

Filed Under: donald trump, jose andres, old post office pavilion,