Apple has urged shareholders to reject a proposal to abandon its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) commitments, making a rare public defense of such initiatives amid rising opposition to DEI programs. The proposal, led by the conservative National Center for Public Policy Research, claims Apple’s DEI efforts are discriminatory and cites the Supreme Court's affirmative action ruling as potential legal grounds for dismantling corporate DEI policies. Apple’s board countered, stating its DEI programs comply with nondiscrimination laws and are overseen for legal and business risks. The vote will take place at Apple’s annual meeting on February 25. Meanwhile, other major corporations, including Meta, McDonald’s, and Walmart, have recently scaled back or abandoned their DEI programs, citing shifting cultural attitudes and legal concerns. Continue here.
