( CNN ) -- The Beverly Hills Hotel has been a haven for Hollywood 's elite since 1912 -- two years before the City of Beverly Hills was even created . But now some stars are rushing for the exits . On Monday , a number of celebrities took part in a demonstration across from the famed Sunset Boulevard lodge , protesting not the hotel but its ownership -- an investment group controlled by the Sultan of Brunei . In late April , the small Muslim nation on the northern coast of the island of Borneo implemented Sharia law , marked by strong punishments for those found guilty of homosexuality or adultery -- including stoning the convicted to death . The law was praised by the sultan , who is n't just the country 's ruler but also a major political and cultural figure . `` We 're just making people aware , '' Jay Leno , who was among the demonstrators , told CNN . `` It 's not a political issue . This is not something that 's debatable . ... It 's people being stoned to death , '' he said . A number of organizations have moved -- or threatened to move -- events scheduled for the hotel . The Los Angeles Times reported that the Feminist Majority Foundation moved its Global Women 's Rights Awards from the Beverly Hills Hotel to the Hammer Museum in nearby Westwood . The awards , which were held Monday night , are co-chaired by Leno and his wife , Mavis . The International Women 's Media Foundation similarly pulled its Courage in Journalism Awards ceremony from the venue . `` We , the IWMF , can no longer hold an event at a venue whose owner stands for the violation of the very human rights we fight for , '' Elisa Lees Munoz , executive director of the IWMF , said in a statement . Also saying they 're staying away , according to the Los Angeles Times : The Hollywood Reporter 's annual Women in Entertainment breakfast , the Motion Picture & Television Fund 's Night Before the Oscars and a fundraising luncheon hosted by Teen Line , a peer helpline . Moreover , such notables as Ellen DeGeneres and mogul Richard Branson have announced they wo n't patronize the hotel or other properties in the Dorchester Collection of luxury hotels , which owns and manages the Beverly Hills Hotel and the Hotel Bel-Air . `` I wo n't be visiting the Hotel Bel-Air or the Beverly Hills Hotel until this is resolved , '' DeGeneres tweeted to her 28.8 million followers . Leno said he was well aware of the concerns . `` I know a number of people are canceling events at the hotel , and it 's all economics , '' he told CNN . But Christopher Cowdray , the Dorchester Collection 's CEO , said the celebrities and groups protesting are taking out their anger on the wrong place . `` The actions they 're taking are unfounded , '' he said . `` It 's going to hurt our employees and this has nothing to do with them whatsoever , '' he said . `` It 's not their fight . '' The sultan has owned the Beverly Hills Hotel since 1987 . The Dorchester Collection was established in 1996 to oversee that hotel and others in its luxury portfolio , including the Hotel Bel-Air , Paris ' Plaza Athenee and London 's Dorchester . Cowdray said that celebrities wanting to influence politics in Brunei would be better off lobbying the U.S. State Department to take action . At a briefing Monday , State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said , `` We have very serious concerns . '' The City of Beverly Hills is also making its opinion known . Mayor Lili Bosse is introducing a resolution before City Council that would urge the sultan to divest his interest in the hotel that bears the city 's name . `` We have a history of standing strong against injustice , '' she said . Like Leno , she emphasized that the issue was n't the hotel , but what was going on in Brunei . `` The resolution is not a call for a boycott of the Beverly Hills Hotel , '' she said . `` This is really a focus on the government and their laws and not a statement about the hotel . '' CNN 's Todd Leopold contributed to this story .
NEW : Organizations have moved -- or threatened to move -- scheduled events . Brunei Hotel finds itself part of celeb protests . Demonstrations are against laws of Brunei ; Brunei owns the Dorchester Collection 's . sultan recently instituted ` We , the IWMF , can no longer hold an event at a venue law , includes stoning penalties for adultery , homosexuality .