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73?5 10 FRED WARING Dmvr-z
PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA 92260?25 78
TEL: 760 346?061 I

infui?w .org

 

December 13, 2019

Ms. Susan Davis

Founder and Board President
Desert Biennial (Desert X)
PO Box 4050

Palm Springs, CA 92263

Mr. Scott White

President Chief Executive Officer

Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Board
70100 Highway 111

Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

Ms. Davis and Mr. White:

Re: Desert Biennial?s partnership with Saudi Arabia?s Royal Commission for Al-Ula

On behalf of the Palm Desert City Council, I want to first thank you for your efforts in making Desert 
such a successful exhibition throughout the Coachella Valley. It has truly been a collaborative and
mutually beneficial partnership over the past years.

Notwithstanding, it has been brought to our attention that Desert Biennial will be partnering with the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, particularly Saudi Arabia?s Royal Commission for Al-Ula, for an upcoming
exhibition known as Desert Al?Ula 2020.

The City of Palm Desert takes exception to this partnership because of Saudi Arabia?s history of human
rights violations. Saudi Arabia has faced condemnation from various international organizations,
including the United Nations, Amnesty International, and Flights Watch. Consequently, such a

partnership may result in the City?s reconsideration of future funding to Desert Biennial.

We hope you can understand our perspective, and reconsider current and future relationships with
agencies that are internationally recognized as having committed human rights violations.

Regards,
Susan Marie Weber
Mayor

cc: Palm Desert City Council

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