This year was set to be Cisco’s first time hosting its annual developer conference Cisco Live in its new digital form. Thanks to the novel Coronavirus, several tech events have moved to digital versions, intending to keep folks out of harm’s way. I’d already been pre-briefed about some of the company’s news announcements, and today – I was set to interview a Cisco executive so he could walk me through many of the new capabilities of its popular Webex offering.
None of that happened, because this morning, much to my surprise, Cisco Chairman and CEO, Chuck Robbins, said the collaboration company had postponed its virtual event in light of the unrest in the U.S.
There have been mass protests both non-violent and in some cases, violent, across the globe. Tens of thousands of #BlackLivesMatters protesters have taken to the streets, from Berlin to London, Auckland, and of course, countless cities across the U.S. In some of these cities, including New York City, there’s been police violence directed toward civilians, but this hasn’t stopped protesters who oppose the killing of a 46-year-old unarmed African American man named George Floyd.
“Today we find ourselves facing another pandemic, not one that is new by any means, but one we must continue to confront. The recent murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Brianna Taylor, and so many more before them are horrific, maddening, and quite sickening”
Floyd was killed in police custody on May 25, 2020, after a Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin placed his knee against Floyd’s neck for several minutes. An autopsy later revealed, Floyd died of asphyxiation due to neck and back compression. Chauvin, who is white, is now relieved of his duties as a police officer and charged with third-degree murder along with manslaughter. This all follows a damming video that’s made its rounds via social media of Floyd in a visibly uncomfortable state, handcuffed, and struggling to breathe while the officer knelt on his neck. The offenses carry a sentence of up to 25 years in prison.
The sentiment shared by many protesters has been one of solidarity, and one of having reached a boiling point. Floyd is one name on a long list of unarmed African Americans killed by police in recent years. Robbins echoed the thoughts felt millions across the globe, writing in a statement, Cisco’s donating $5 million to several organizations that work to fight racism, acknowledging the company, as well as others, could and should do more, but said, this is a start.
“At Cisco, we have always aspired to foster an environment of dignity, respect, fairness, and equality for all. We encourage others to use this moment to reflect and make progress towards a better, more inclusive world.”
Eric Garner is another unarmed black male who died under similar circumstances back in 2014, which led to the Black Lives Matter movement.
When Cisco Live does occur it will be the first time in thirty years that the event’s gone digital.
Stay tuned for the latest Cisco Live updates on UC Today.
Read our round up of the rescheduled event:
Cisco Live! Brings New Wave of Innovation for Cisco
