“With yesterday’s tragic news, we are calling for an immediate deescalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions,” the open letter reads.
CEOs that signed the letter included 3M CEO William Brown, Best Buy CEO Corie Barry, General Mills CEO Jeff Harmening, Target incoming CEO Michael Fiddelke, UnitedHealth Group CEO Stephen Helmsley, and others.
Before the letter, most of the biggest Minnesota-based companies had not issued any public statements about the enforcement surge and unrest.
But the issue has become more difficult to avoid. Over the past two weeks protesters have targeted some businesses they see not taking a strong enough stand against federal law enforcement activity, including Minneapolis-based Target. Earlier in January a Minnesota hotel that wouldn’t allow federal immigration agents to stay there apologized and said the refusal violated its own policies after a furor online.
“In this difficult moment for our community, we call for peace and focused cooperation among local, state and federal leaders to achieve a swift and durable solution that enables families, businesses, our employees, and communities across Minnesota to resume our work to build a bright and prosperous future,” the letter reads.
The full text of the letter appears below.
The business community in Minnesota prides itself in providing leadership and solving problems to ensure a strong and vibrant state. The recent challenges facing our state have created widespread disruption and tragic loss of life. For the past several weeks, representatives of Minnesota’s business community have been working every day behind the scenes with federal, state and local officials to advance real solutions. These efforts have included close communication with the Governor, the White House, the Vice President and local mayors. There are ways for us to come together to foster progress.
With yesterday’s tragic news, we are calling for an immediate deescalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions.
We have been working for generations to build a strong and vibrant state here in Minnesota and will do so in the months and years ahead with equal and even greater commitment. In this difficult moment for our community, we call for peace and focused cooperation among local, state and federal leaders to achieve a swift and durable solution that enables families, businesses, our employees, and communities across Minnesota to resume our work to build a bright and prosperous future.
Signatories:
3M – William Brown, Chairman and CEO
Allianz Life Insurance Company – Jasmine Jirele, President and CEO
Allina – Lisa Shannon, President and CEO, Tim Welsh, Board Chair
Ameriprise Financial – James Cracchiolo, Chairman and CEO
Anchor Paper – Brooke Lee, CEO
Andersen Corporation – Chris Galvin, Chairman and CEO
APi Group – Russell Becker, CEO and President
Best Buy – Corie Barry, CEO
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota – Dana Erickson, President and CEO
Boston Scientific – Joseph Fitzgerald, Executive Vice President and Group President, Cardiology
Cargill – Brian Sikes, Board Chair and CEO
Carlson – Scott Gage, Chair
CentraCare Health – Kenneth Holmen, M.D., President and CEO
C.H. Robinson – Dave Bozeman, President and CEO
CHS – Jay Debertin, President and CEO
Children’s Minnesota – Emily Chapman, M.D., CEO
Delta Dental of Minnesota – Rodney Young, CEO
Deluxe Corporation – Barry McCarthy, President and CEO
Donaldson Company, Inc. – Tod Carpenter, Chairman, President and CEO
ECMC Group – Dan Fisher, CEO
Ecolab – Christophe Beck, Chairman and CEO
Essentia Health – Dr. David Herman, CEO
Fairview Health Services – James Hereford, President and CEO
Faribault Mill – Ross Widmoyer, President and CEO
Gardner Builders – Bob Gardner, Founder and CEO
General Mills – Jeff Harmening, Chairman and CEO
Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare – Barbara Joers, President and CEO
Greater MSP – Peter Frosch, CEO
Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation – Dr. Joseph Lee, President and CEO
HealthPartners – Andrea Walsh, President and CEO
Hormel – Jeff Ettinger, Interim CEO
Kraus-Anderson Companies, Inc. – Peter J. Diessner, CEO
Land O’Lakes – Beth Ford, President and CEO
Liberty Diversified International – Mike Fiterman, Chairman
Marsden Holding – Guy Mingo, President and CEO
Mayo Clinic – Gianrico Farrugia, M.D., President and CEO
Medica – Lisa Erickson, President and CEO
Medtronic – Geoff Martha, CEO and Chairman
Minnesota Business Partnership – Kurt Zellers, CEO
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce – Doug Loon, President and CEO
Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx – On behalf of the entire organization
Minnesota United FC – Shari Ballard, CEO
Minnesota Vikings – On behalf of the entire organization
Minnesota Wild – On behalf of the entire organization
Mortenson – David Mortenson, Chairperson
New Horizon Academy – Chad Dunkley, CEO
nVent – Beth Woxniak, Chair and CEO
Patterson Companies – Robert Rajalingam, CEO
Pentair – John L. Staunch, President and CEO
Piper Sandler – Chad Abraham, Chairman and CEO
Prime Therapeutics – Mostafa Kamal, President and CEO
Red Wing Shoes – Allison Gettings, President and CEO
Ryan Companies US, Inc. – Brian Murray, CEO
Securian Financial Group – Chris Hilger, Chairman, President and CEO
Sleep Number – Linda Findley, President and CEO
SPS Commerce – Chad Collins, CEO
Target – Michael Fiddelke, Incoming CEO
Tennant Company – Dave Huml
Thrivent – Teresa Rasmussen, President and CEO
The Toro Company – Rick Olson, Chairman and CEO
UnitedHealth Group – Stephen J. Hemsley, CEO
U.S. Bancorp – Gunjan Kedia, CEO
Winnebago – Michael Happe, President and CEO
Xcel Energy – Bob Frenzel, Chairman, President and CEO
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