abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb
Article

1 Jun 2020

Author:
Taylor Soper, GeekWire

Amazon, Microsoft, other tech leaders sound off amid protests over death of George Floyd

Amazon and Microsoft issued statements this weekend in response to the outrage and protests over George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis... [Amazon's statement said] "The inequitable and brutal treatment of Black people in our country must stop. Together we stand in solidarity with the Black community - our employees, customers, and partners - in the fight against systemic racism and injustice."... ACLU responded to Amazon’s statement: "Cool tweet. Will you commit to stop selling face recognition surveillance technology that supercharges police abuse?"

... Amazon Web Services cloud chief Andy Jassy: "*What* will it take for us to refuse to accept these unjust killings of black people? How many people must die, how many generations must endure, how much eyewitness video is required? What else do we need? We need better than what we're getting from courts and political leaders." 

Microsoft posted remarks from CEO Satya Nadella to employees on Friday. “We need to recognize that we are better, smarter and stronger when we consider the voices, the actions of all communities, and you have my assurance that Microsoft will continue to advocate to have all those voices heard and respected,” Nadella said, adding that employees should “have empathy for those who are scared and uncertain, and join me and everyone on the senior leadership team, in advocating for change in our company, in our communities, and in society at large.”... Zillow Group issued its own statement Saturday: “Racism has no home here.”... [T-Mobile said] Racism, hatred, inequality must have no place in our world. Every person has the right to feel safe, seen and heard. We are with you. We are for you. We all must do better. We must."

Timeline