Cisco Systems Inc. said on Monday evening that it’s postponing the virtual Cisco Live customer event it was scheduled to hold this week, a decision mirroring similar moves by other tech giants.

“In light of what is going on in the world at this time, we have made the decision to postpone Cisco Live this week,” read a statement the company posted to Twitter. “We encourage others to use this moment to reflect and make progress towards a better, more inclusive world.”

Cisco Chief Executive Officer Chuck Robbins provided additional details in an accompanying YouTube video. Robbins (pictured) said that Cisco Live, which was scheduled to kick off this morning, will be rescheduled for later in June, with the exact date to be announced during the coming days. The executive also said the company is donating $5 million to charities dedicated to fighting racism and discrimination.

“The recent murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and so many more before them are horrific, maddening and truly abhorrent,” Robbins said. “At Cisco, we have always aspired to foster an environment of dignity, respect, fairness and equality for all, not just within the walls — or virtual walls these days — of our company, but this is the world we envision.”

Cisco’s $5 million donation follows Facebook Inc. CEO Mark Zuckerberg announcing in a post that the social network is “committing an additional $10 million to groups working on racial justice.” Google LLC, in turn, has delayed the launch event for Android 11 it was planning to hold on Wednesday, saying in a statement on the Android Developer website that “we are excited to tell you more about Android 11, but now is not the time to celebrate.”

A number of other tech events have been postponed as well. Sony Corp. said on Twitter that it is pushing back the date of a video game event that was originally scheduled for Thursday while Electronic Arts Inc., the second largest game maker in the Americas and Europe by revenue, has delayed the announcement of a new sports title.

Photo: Cisco