"In light of the recent calls for justice across this country and around the world, we, as dedicated public health professionals, can no longer stay silent to the widespread acts of racism and discrimination within CDC that are, in fact, undermining the agency's core mission," the letter, which was addressed to CDC Director Robert Redfield, reads.
In addition to noting that Black employees are only 10 percent of CDC’s leadership, the employees asked that the CDC declare racism a public health crisis in the US.
"Systemic racism is not just a concept perpetrated outside these walls," the letter reads. "It is a crushing reality for people of color in their daily lived experiences here at CDC."