Frazier -the only African-American member of the council- announced his resignation Monday morning, posting an official statement on social media where he said he felt a personal “responsibility” to step-down from his position.
“America’s leaders must honor our fundamental values by clearly rejecting expressions of hatred, bigotry and group supremacy, which run counter to the American ideal that all people are created equal,” Frazier wrote.
“As CEO of Merck, and as a matter of personal conscience, I feel a responsibility to take a stand against intolerance and extremism,” he added.
Frazier did not specifically mention President Trump’s statement following the violent protests that rocked Virginia over the weekend, but said America’s “strength stems from its diversity.”