Read Apple CEO Tim Cook's Email To Employees About Charlottesville

Cook said he disagrees with the president's "moral equivalence" between white supremacists and anti-racist protesters and pledged $2 million in donations to fight hate.

On Wednesday evening Apple CEO Tim Cook sent an email to all global employees condemning racism and bigotry as well as President Trump's response to the tragedy in Charlottesville, according to an email obtained by BuzzFeed News.

"Hate is a cancer," Cook wrote to employees, noting that Apple must be "unequivocal" about fighting and denouncing bigotry in all forms.

Cook called for unity among Apple employees regardless of political views and affirmed the company's commitment to inclusion. Most notably, he came out strongly against Trump's press conference remarks on Tuesday afternoon.

"I disagree with the president and others who believe that there is a moral equivalence between white supremacists and Nazis, and those who oppose them by standing up for human rights. Equating the two runs counter to our ideals as Americans," he wrote.

According to Cook's memo, Apple will be making two separate $1 million donations to both the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Anti-Defamation League. The company will also match employee donations to these and other groups two-for-one until September 30. Cook also said that Apple would soon offer its users a way to contribute to the Southern Poverty Law Center through iTunes.

On Wednesday, BuzzFeed News reported that Apple had cut off Apple Pay support for three websites that sold Nazi and white nationalist apparel.

Here is Cook's email in its entirety:

Team,


Like so many of you, equality is at the core of my beliefs and values. The events of the past several days have been deeply troubling for me, and I’ve heard from many people at Apple who are saddened, outraged or confused.


What occurred in Charlottesville has no place in our country. Hate is a cancer, and left unchecked it destroys everything in its path. Its scars last generations. History has taught us this time and time again, both in the United States and countries around the world.


We must not witness or permit such hate and bigotry in our country, and we must be unequivocal about it. This is not about the left or the right, conservative or liberal. It is about human decency and morality. I disagree with the president and others who believe that there is a moral equivalence between white supremacists and Nazis, and those who oppose them by standing up for human rights. Equating the two runs counter to our ideals as Americans.


Regardless of your political views, we must all stand together on this one point — that we are all equal. As a company, through our actions, our products and our voice, we will always work to ensure that everyone is treated equally and with respect.


I believe Apple has led by example, and we’re going to keep doing that. We have always welcomed people from every walk of life to our stores around the world and showed them that Apple is inclusive of everyone. We empower people to share their views and express themselves through our products.


In the wake of the tragic and repulsive events in Charlottesville, we are stepping up to help organizations who work to rid our country of hate. Apple will be making contributions of $1 million each to the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Anti-Defamation League. We will also match two-for-one our employees’ donations to these and several other human rights groups, between now and September 30.


In the coming days, iTunes will offer users an easy way to join us in directly supporting the work of the SPLC.


Dr. Martin Luther King said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.” So, we will continue to speak up. These have been dark days, but I remain as optimistic as ever that the future is bright. Apple can and will play an important role in bringing about positive change.


Best,

Tim

John Paczkowski contributed to this report.

Skip to footer