Cisco CEO calls for "space and healing" as Live event is postponed

CEO Chuck Robbins says recent events require time for ‘space and healing” in video address to attendees

Cisco's Live US conference has been postponed hours before it was about to start, as CEO Chuck Robbins calls for a period of "space and healing" in light of the US protests over the death of George Floyd.

Addressing attendees in a video posted on LinkedInand on the Cisco Live website, Robbins said postponing the event, which was set to take place 2-3 June, was "the right thing to do" in light of civil unrest in the US over the last week.

"In light of recent events and the turmoil happening across the United States, and with some of your feedback, we feel this is the right thing to do and that is something we always strive for at Cisco.

Right now, people across the US and the world are dealing with so much pain, frustration and anger and many of us need time for space and healing," he said.

Cisco said it will reveal new dates for the virtual event, expected to be in late June, in the coming days.

In a statement accompanying the video, Cisco said: "We don't believe the time is right to host an event in the middle of this tragic moment in our history. Our hope is that we use this time to process, heal and define the actions we will take as organizations and individuals to make a difference and move forward towards a better, more inclusive world."

Cisco also pledged to donate $5m to charities dedicated to fighting racism and discrimination.