Apple CEO Tim Cook has responded to the two fatal ICE shootings that have taken place in Minneapolis, Minnesota this month.
Cook expressed himself in an internal memo to Apple employees that was shared by Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, Cook said he is “heartbroken by the events in Minneapolis.”
Here is Cook’s full memo to Apple employees:
Team,
I’m heartbroken by the events in Minneapolis, and my prayers and deepest sympathies are with the families, with the communities, and with everyone that’s been affected.
This is a time for deescalation. I believe America is strongest when we live up to our highest ideals, when we treat everyone with dignity and respect no matter who they are or where they’re from, and when we embrace our shared humanity. This is something Apple has always advocated for. I had a good conversation with the president this week where I shared my views, and I appreciate his openness to engaging on issues that matter to us all.
I know this is very emotional and challenging for so many. I am proud of how deeply our teams care about the world beyond our walls. That empathy is one of Apple’s greatest strengths and it is something I believe we all cherish.
Thank you for all that you do.
Tim
While Cook did not specifically mention the two shootings, he is believed to be responding to the killing of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs during an encounter with ICE.
Earlier this month, 37-year-old poet Renée Good was also shot and killed by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis
The incidents have stoked public outcry in the country.