Apple CEO Tim Cook wrote a memo to company employees about the worsening tensions caused by ICE’s presence in Minneapolis, saying he is “heartbroken” by the situation and noting that he’s spoken to Donald Trump about the issue.
First reported by Bloomberg, the memo comes days after Cook was seen — and widely criticized about — attending a screening of Melania Trump’s documentary at the White House just hours after border patrol agents shot and killed 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti while he was participating in a protest against ICE. Pretti’s killing followed that of Renée Good, who was shot by an ICE agent earlier this month, sparking protests nationwide.
Cook did not mention Pretti or Good by name or write about ICE or border patrol directly, instead referring to “the events in Minneapolis” and expressing that his “prayers and deepest sympathies are with the families, with the communities, and with everyone that’s been affected.”
About Trump, he wrote: “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.”
Read Cook’s full memo, per Bloomberg, below.
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.
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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
From Variety US