The CEO of Marsh & McLennan Companies CEO Dan Glaser has sent an email to all employees of the organisation about George Floyd, the African American man killed by a police officer in Minneapolis.

There have been widespread ‘Black Lives Matter’ protests across America over the last week following Floyd’s death, many turning violent.

Glaser’s email names Floyd as well as Breonna Taylor, the African America woman who was shot by police while she was sleeping, and Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old unarmed African American man shot while jogging in Georgia.

“George Floyd. Breonna Taylor. Ahmaud Arbery. How many tragic deaths will it take for change to come?” the email began.

“We believe in social justice. We believe in economic justice. We believe in equality before the law. The stress and insecurity of the pandemic only makes it more apparent that justice can’t wait for better times. Too many have waited too long.”

The email also stated the Marsh & McLennan rejects discrimination, and urged employees to take care of one another and reach out to one another.

“Marsh & McLennan rejects racism, bigotry and discrimination in all their forms. In our offices and in our work we serve the fundamental principals of human dignity, equality, community and mutual respect.”

Marsh & McLennan owns a number of insurance companies including Marsh, the biggest captive manager in the industry, and Mercer.

While in the past it has been unusual for companies to comment on political issues and movements, in recent years more have been speaking out about big events in the world.