“I can’t breathe.” Those words have haunted me since watching the video of George Floyd being slowly choked to death by Minneapolis police officers in broad daylight. It is impossible to witness this brutal murder of a defenseless man and remain silent.

At Microbiome Insights, we are a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural team representing ten nationalities from around the world. As a company, we embrace diversity of background and perspective, and collaborate as equals. We also value integrity and strive to do the right thing. These core values are important to us and compel us to speak up and condemn racism, injustice and discrimination. We are committed to diversity, equality and inclusion, and to mutual respect, listening and understanding.

At a time when the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic has brought out the best in humanity, the murders of George Floyd and others are yet again another wake up call to stand together against systemic racism. Doing so is at the heart of the values of our company and fundamental to the most basic principles of human rights, dignity and justice.

Please stand with us in solidarity with those who fight against racism and discrimination to affirm that BLACK LIVES MATTER.