Astellas Response to Recent National Events: Reaffirming our Values and Commitment | June 3, 2020

Dear Astellas community,

Over the past weeks, our country has been overwhelmed with emotion—shock, grief, horror, rage, and more—amid the news reports and video footage showing harassment of and violence against Black Americans. At a time when the world is already wearied by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are once again confronted by a crisis that has been a shameful part of our nation’s history.

The deaths of George Floyd in Minnesota, Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, and Breonna Taylor in Kentucky, as well as the weaponized racism against Christian Cooper in New York, are only the most recent and visible reminders of how far we as a society are from eliminating racial injustices and disparities.

Astellas rejects and condemns injustice, racism, and harassment in all of its forms. We are committed to an inclusive workplace where we all can share our authentic selves. To us, inclusion and diversity are not just corporate buzzwords, but personal imperatives.  And for Black employees who today don’t feel safe to leave their homes, or who live each day with apprehension for their own safety or the safety of their loved ones: We see you. We stand with you.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us and called on all Americans to fulfill the promise that everyone—of every race, skin tone, language, ability, sexual orientation, gender, religion, background and talent—relies on one another to be allies, to stand up together, and to share strength. And that is the promise and commitment we reaffirm today: to reject violence, discrimination, and harassment, and to create equitable and safe spaces that acknowledge and foster the mental and physical wellness of all of our employees.

We are One Astellas.