A North Carolina-based chamber of commerce offers advice for businesses amid racial-equality protests. | Stock Photo
A North Carolina-based chamber of commerce offers advice for businesses amid racial-equality protests. | Stock Photo
The Statesville Chamber of Commerce on its website offered advice to business owners in Iredell County about plans to consider as protests continue over the killing of a Black man by a police officer in Minneapolis.
The bottom line is to communicate, the chamber's post said.
Geroge Floyd died after now ex-former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin reportedly kept his knee on Floyd for almost 9 minutes, which likely lead to his death, authorities have said. Chauvin has since been charged with murder. Three other now-ex police officers have also been charged.
The chamber recommended that business owners consider posting a letter on social media outlining their opinions about the Black Lives Matter protest for justice and racial equality and concern about police violence that employees and customers might also have, and sharing it via email.
Customers may want to know a business's viewpoint on these questions and patronize an operation they can respect and trust, the website advised. But a business owner should avoid being overly critical, as people are looking for solutions.
The chamber also suggested becoming involved with organizations, a community group or nonprofit that are attempting to find ways locally to promote understanding between people, to help combat negative stereotypes and support human rights.
Doing nothing, the chamber said, is considered today by many to be taking a position on these issues. No decision is seen as a decision. A business owner should make a decision on how best to respond.
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