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For a while now, Apple CEO Tim Cook has been speaking out, openly and loudly, about discriminatory practices in the public and private sector. Last November, He asked Congress to “strike a blow” against discrimination in a heartfelt opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal. Today, CNBC confirmed that Apple has sent Arizona governor Jan Brewer a letter requesting she veto the controversial religious freedom bill SB1062.
Arizona Senate Bill 1062 would amend the existing Religious Freedom Restoration Act, allowing business owners to deny service to gay and lesbian customers so long as proprietors were acting solely on their religious beliefs [via: CNN].
According to CNBC, Apple is now added to the list of corporations to urge Governor Brewer to veto the bill, which would allow companies to use religious beliefs to discriminate against certain people who don’t fit their standards. The Governor has until February 28 to decide to sign into law or veto the bill.
Apple has plans to open a new sapphire glass manufacturing plant in the states city of Mesa that is expected to create more than 2,000 engineering, manufacturing, and construction jobs.
While CNBC confirms that Apple asked the Arizona governor to veto the religious freedom bill, no official statement has been released. There is no information on what the letter said or whether Apple made any threats to halt production in the state.
In addition to Apple’s plea to keep the bill from turning into a law, The NFL has been following the issue. Next year’s Super Bowl is scheduled to take place in Arizona. The sports organization released an official statement about SB1062.
“Our policies emphasize tolerance and inclusiveness, and prohibit discrimination based on age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other improper standard,” the NFL said in a statement. “We are following the issue in Arizona and will continue to do so should the bill be signed into law, but will decline further comment at this time.”
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