During the past week, protests spread over the killing of the black citizen George Floyd, American cities, and the voices supporting these protests, which support black citizens in the face of the violations and discrimination they are exposed to, rose to support.
Silicon Valley leaders also had their opinions in this field, as they expressed it either through statements, or through tweets and posts on social media platforms, and in this report we review the most prominent of these views.
Google to the protesters: You are not alone
Google CEO Sander Pichai wrote in an internal memo that Google. ORG (Google.org) - the company's arm for charity - has organized an internal fundraising campaign for organizations working for ethnic justice.
Pichai said in the memo that Google will double any employee contribution of up to $ 10,000.
Google also added a black ribbon to its home page to show support for racial equality. "For those who feel sad, angry and fearful, you're not alone," Pichai wrote on Twitter.
Today on US Google & YouTube homepages we share our support for racial equality in solidarity with the Black community and in memory of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery & others who don't have a voice. For those feeling grief, anger, sadness & fear, you are not alone. pic.twitter.com/JbPCG3wfQW
- Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) May 31, 2020
Snapchat .. prohibits advertising to the president
"Snapchat" CEO Evan Spiegel wrote a long note to employees Sunday evening, calling on the United States to "embrace a profound change."
Spiegel said in the memo obtained by "The Information": Every minute we keep silent in the face of evil and error, we work to support the perpetrators of evil ... I am sad and angry at the treatment of blacks and people of color in America.
Spiegel called for change at the government level, and urged the establishment of a non-partisan compensation committee, and the renewal of the tax law to impose taxes on the rich at a higher rate.
Spiegel said that while Snapchat will donate financially to organizations that support racial equality, charitable work "will not do much" on this issue.
"Private charity can correct gaps, or accelerate progress, but it alone cannot overcome the deep and wide injustice gap. We must cross this gulf together as a united nation. They are united in the pursuit of freedom, equality and justice for all," Spiegel wrote.
SPIEGEL also touched on overseeing the content on Snapchat, saying that Snape will not promote accounts linked to people who incite racial violence, but it will not go as far as removing content that people do not agree with.
Melinda Gates: Watching the way Floyd was killed broke my heart
Billionaire wife Bill Gates wrote on Twitter on Sunday that she has been following the protests for the past few days, and feels "immersed in solidarity," but she does not yet know how best to use her voice and philanthropy to help.
"I will continue to deepen my understanding and stand with the people and organizations working for a future around gender equality and fighting racism," wrote Melinda Gates.
The video of George Floyd's brutal death broke my heart. I've watched the protests that followed and have felt overwhelmed with solidarity. And I'm listening as Black advocates and activists call on every American to treat racial justice as a shared responsibility.
- Melinda Gates (@melindagates) June 1, 2020
Zuckerberg .. The public and staff are upset with his reaction
Mark Zuckerberg posted that Facebook should do more to support equality and safety for the black community on its platforms. In a post on Facebook, Zuckerberg praised Darnella Fraser, who posted a video of Floyd’s death, saying that despite the difficulty of watching “we all needed to see that.”
Zuckerberg said that Facebook would donate $ 10 million to ethnic justice groups recommended by employees and "civil rights advisers" at the company. He also explained in detail the work of Chan Zuckerberg's initiative in criminal justice reform, which he said has invested $ 40 million over the past several years.
On the other hand, Zuckerberg faced strong external and internal criticism because of his refusal to remove posts for the US President, which many view to the public as a clear incitement to violence, while Zuckerberg says it does not violate the laws of publication.
Zuckerberg was subjected to a storm of criticism while trying to justify his position in front of his employees in a meeting that lasted an hour and a half, and a number of his employees announced their resignations from Facebook to protest the company's position.
Elon Musk asks to punish those involved
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk tweeted the #JusticeForGeorge Justice # mark on Monday morning in response to a video on Twitter claiming that other officers who were present during the murder of George Floyd had not been tried, that "it is certainly not true ".
He called for justice to include everyone involved in this incident.
#GeorgeFloyd brother talking to us on the freeway pic.twitter.com/aysI0FJ6D2
- The Genius 🔑 (@DjKeyWay) May 29, 2020
Tim Cook: Pain is deeply engraved in the soul of our nation
Apple CEO Tim Cook said pain is "deeply engraved in the spirit of our nation and in the hearts of millions" now.
In a staff memo, Cook wrote that we must defend each other in the aftermath of Floyd’s death and in light of “a much longer history of racism”.
"This painful past still exists today not only in the form of violence, but in the daily experience of deep-rooted discrimination," Cook wrote.
"We see it in our criminal justice system, in a disproportionate outcome of disease in black communities, and in disparities in neighborhood services and education that our children receive. As our laws change, the truth is that their protection still does not apply."
Cook said that Apple will make contributions to the Equal Justice Initiative along with many other groups, and will double all employee donations to this case in June.
"The death of George Floyd is a shocking and tragic evidence that we must aim to a much higher level than the present situation and build a future that rises to the highest ideals of equality and justice," Cook wrote.
Bezos considers that the pain and trauma caused by racism have a long effect
While Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos did not make a statement about the protests specifically, he posted on Instagram on Friday about the effects of the protests on workers, especially people of color.
Bezos published an article by writer Shinika Golding on trying to maintain professionalism after watching black men and women get killed. Bezos recommended reading Golding's ideas, especially if you are a manager or a leader.
"The pain and emotional trauma caused by racism and violence we are witnessing towards the black community have a long-term impact," Bezos wrote.
Jack Dorsey: The police policy must be reformed now
"Twitter" and "Square" CEO Jack Dorsey tweeted, calling for "police policy reform now".
Dorsey tweeted a statement from Square, calling for "real and meaningful action" to address racial inequality.
"There is a lot to do with a society's long history of mistakes against black societies. We can post phrases all day long, but we know that words alone can seem trivial. Real, meaningful action is necessary to bring about change," he said.
Dropx Head: Our company stands with the black community
Dropbox CEO Drew Houston tweeted that his company stands "with the black community and for civil rights everywhere".
"The pain and anger that we suffer as a nation cannot be cured until we create an equitable racial society," Houston wrote.