Protesters demonstrated Monday outside the Beverly Hills Hotel, calling for a boycott against all Dorchester Collection-owned properties, which are owned by the Sultan of Brunei.
The Sultan is implementing sharia law in his country, which can include the stoning to death of gays and lesbians, amputation for crimes like theft and the public flogging of women who have abortions.
Celebrities like Jay Leno and Ellen DeGeneres threw their support behind the cause.
"We hope maybe to draw attention to this," Leno said. "We have the economic pressure to apply."
Nine events have been canceled so far, including the Motion Picture and Television Funds' 'Night Before the Oscars' party.
CEO of the Dorchester Collection Christopher Cowdray said the protest is misdirected and will only hurt staff.
"We have a very strict code of conduct and that code abides for absolute equality and respect for everyone who works for our organization," Cowdray said.
The Sultan is worth an estimated $20 billion.
