Levi Strauss & Co. Outlines New Efforts Company is Taking to Help Prevent Gun Violence; Announces Partnership with Everytown to Bring Together Other Business Leaders
NEW YORK – Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a part of Everytown, today applauded Levi Strauss & Co. for its announcement that the company will be stepping up its support for gun violence prevention efforts.
STATEMENT FROM JOHN FEINBLATT, PRESIDENT OF EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY:
“Gun violence is a uniquely American problem, and our nation’s business leaders have a critical role to play in raising awareness of the issue and helping to implement common-sense measures to keep our communities safe. We are proud to stand alongside Levi Strauss & Co., one of America’s most iconic companies, in the growing gun safety movement.”
STATEMENT FROM SHANNON WATTS, FOUNDER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“We applaud Levi Strauss & Co. for taking actionable steps to propel the gun safety movement forward. By standing on the right side of history, they’re sending a strong cultural signal that American companies can and should take a stand on this issue to put the safety of our families and communities first.”
In a new opinion piece this morning, Levi Strauss & Co. CEO Chip Bergh announced three new steps the company will be taking, including:
- Establishing a $1-million Safer Tomorrow Fund to fuel the work of nonprofits and youth activists who are working to end gun violence in America;
- Partnering with Everytown and senior executives from some of America’s leading companies, including Michael Bloomberg, to form Everytown Business Leaders for Gun Safety, a coalition of business leaders dedicated to making our country safer; and
- Doubling its employee donation match to organizations aligned with the Safer Tomorrow Fund, and encouraging employees through paid time off to volunteer for organizations that support gun safety.
In Fortune, Bergh writes:
“As president and CEO of a values-driven company that’s known the world over as a pioneer of the American West and one of the great symbols of American freedom, I take the responsibility of speaking up on the important issues of our day very seriously. We can’t take on every issue. But as business leaders with power in the public and political arenas, we simply cannot stand by silently when it comes to the issues that threaten the very fabric of the communities where we live and work. While taking a stand can be unpopular with some, doing nothing is no longer an option.
That’s why Levi Strauss & Co. is stepping up our support for gun violence prevention. You may wonder why a company that doesn’t manufacture or sell guns is wading into this issue, but for us, it’s simple. Americans shouldn’t have to live in fear of gun violence. It’s an issue that affects all of us—all generations and all walks of life.”
This is not the first time the company has taken action on gun safety. In 2016, Chip Bergh issued a request to customers to leave their guns at home.
Learn more about Everytown Business Leaders for Gun Safety here.