June 7, 2020 at 2:28 PM EDT – Updated June 7 at 6:17 PM
CHARLOTTE, NC (AP/WECT) – The Carolina Panthers, the Charlotte Hornets and two universities have canceled partnerships with a North Carolina home security company after the company’s CEO told an activist he should focus on black-on-black crime rather than the George Floyd protests.
CPI Security CEO Ken Gill apologized for his comments Saturday on Twitter. Still, the NFL’s Carolina Panthers said they were ending their relationship with CPI.
Last Saturday, we said we are committed to doing our part and we mean it.
CPI Security has been a long term partner but, upon reflection, we feel that it is right to end our relationship.
We have informed Mr. Gill of our decision tonight.
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) June 7, 2020
The athletics programs at North Carolina State and the University of South Carolina, along with the Charlotte Hornets, followed suit on Sunday.
The controversy began when a Charlotte activist sent out a mass email calling for action in response to the death of George Floyd. Gill told the activist to “spend your time in a more productive way.”
Here is the company’s statement regarding the comments on Saturday.
I want to apologize for my response to an email from a former employee that failed to directly address the need for…
Posted by CPI Security on Saturday, June 6, 2020
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