DETROIT (WXYZ) — The CEOs of nine of Detroit's largest corporations stood together against racism and injustice in America.
They joined Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan in a press conference on Wednesday morning.
Watch it below.
The leaders include:
Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors
Bill Ford, Executive Chairman, Ford Motor Company
Mark Stewart, Chief Operating Officer, FCA North America
Jay Farner, CEO Quicken Loans
Wright Lassiter, President & CEO, Henry Ford Health System
Chris Ilitch, President & CEO, Ilitch Holdings
Dan Loepp, President & CEO, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Gerry Anderson, Executive Chairman, DTE Energy
Gary Torgow, Executive Chairman, TCF Financial Corporation
Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, President of Detroit Chapter of the NAACP
They issued the following joint statement after the conference:
We are here because we believe it is the responsibility of every American to speak out against the racism, and injustice we are witnessing in our country. We stand with the black community in calling for change across the nation and acknowledge the pain and loss endured by too many for far too long. Now is the time for change and we support those who are peacefully marching for it across our nation.
We condemn the acts of injustice in the tragic murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor and the many other men and women whose lives have been cut far too short.
As a show of unity, sensitivity and our collective humanity, we declare our uncompromising support for and the application of equal justice for every American.
- We commit ourselves and our companies to reject and work to eliminate all forms of bias, racism, sexism and violence within our companies and our communities.
- We call upon the appropriate government officials to hold accountable all individuals involved with the deaths that have occurred. Every person must be held responsible and accountable for his or her actions.
- We support the calls for an independent prosecution of those accused in order to demonstrate the fairness and eliminate any possible conflicts in the course of this judicial process.
- We will invest in programs and policies that help to transform the disparities that exist within these communities, as we remain partners in progress both locally and nationally.
- We commit ourselves and our companies to reject and work to eliminate all forms of bias, racism, sexism and violence within our companies and our communities.
- We call upon the appropriate government officials to hold accountable all individuals involved with the deaths that have occurred. Every person must be held responsible and accountable for his or her actions.
- We support the calls for an independent prosecution of those accused in order to demonstrate the fairness and eliminate any possible conflicts in the course of this judicial process.
- We will invest in programs and policies that help to transform the disparities that exist within these communities, as we remain partners in progress both locally and nationally.
The press conference comes after the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Detroit. More than 50 protesters were arrested Tuesday night for defying the city's 8 p.m. curfew.
