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MGM Thanks Heroes, Supports Civil Rights Groups
The global hospitality and entertainment company is the the owner of
MGM Resorts tweeted a message addressed to “Friends of MGM Resorts” Oct. 5. Pollstar has reached out to the company, which indicated it will release an official statement shortly.
Via Twitter:
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-lang=”en”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Together, we are <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/VegasStrong?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#VegasStrong</a> <a href=”https://t.co/7LvNn9avSF”>pic.twitter.com/7LvNn9avSF</a></p>— MGM Resorts (@MGMResortsIntl) <a href=”https://twitter.com/MGMResortsIntl/status/915969667558027264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>October 5, 2017</a></blockquote>
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In a second message to employees, MGM Resorts Chairman Jim Murren wrote:
Dear Colleagues,
As we near the end of a week in which we witnessed the ruthless and senseless taking of human life and the degradation of basic human dignity, I feel compelled to speak.
The events in Charlottesville and Barcelona can easily cause us to feel overcome by hatred and gutted by violence, leaving open questions about our future – as a nation, a global society and even a human race.
In the midst of this uncertainty, I want to affirm a clear-eyed, concrete view of the company in which you have chosen to invest your career, because on the question of human rights, MGM Resorts takes an unequivocal position: The protection of human dignity, demonstrated in the form of tolerance and respect for all people, is the core of our identity. We strive to create workplaces and entertainment spaces that are welcoming, open and respectful to all kinds of people, regardless of disability, age, gender, race, ethnicity, religious preference, gender identity or sexual orientation. This is the singular, fundamental belief that guides us every day. It is the reason we champion diversity and inclusion. It is the basis of our humanity and our success. It is our promise to each other, our families, our guests and our communities.
Free speech and equality are essential to democracy. The First Amendment provides that government shall not silence the voices of our citizens, no matter how vile or offensive we may find their ideals. Equality is also guaranteed by the Constitution and further strengthened by laws such as The Civil Rights Act. While hate mongers and white supremacists have a constitutional right to express their views, we must stand strongly in defiance of violence, bigotry and anything that threatens our precious right to equality.
You have my commitment that we will vigorously and zealously continue to reject hate speech and hate-based actions in any form. To that end, MGM Resorts will match donations you choose to make to the following organizations. We will provide direction on this matching program early next week:
Southern Poverty Law Center
NAACP
ADL
Human Rights Campaign
Council on American Islamic Relations
OCA National-Asian Pacific American Advocates
League of United Latin American Citizens
I am proud to be part of a company that is principled and I am inspired by your commitment to our values every day.