Pro-Palestinian Protests at Microsoft’s Redmond Campus Lead to 18 Arrests

Credit: @RedmondWaPD

A protest at Microsoft’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington, led to the arrest of at least 18 people on Wednesday, August 21, 2025. The arrests followed a second day of demonstrations against the company’s ties to the Israeli government and military.

The protests began a day earlier when a group of activists, including both current and former Microsoft employees, occupied part of the campus and declared it a “Liberated Zone.” While the first day ended without arrests, tensions escalated when protesters returned on Wednesday. Police claimed the group became aggressive, pouring red paint over a Microsoft sign, blocking a pedestrian bridge, and attempting to create barricades with tables and chairs.

According to KOMO News and Windows Central, police officers initially asked the protesters to leave, but made arrests after alleged vandalism and disruptions. Charges could include trespassing, resisting arrest, obstruction, and malicious mischief. No injuries were reported.

Microsoft issued a statement addressing the events, saying that around 35 protesters were present on Tuesday and left peacefully after being informed the gathering was not permitted on private property. The company added that Wednesday’s group engaged in vandalism and also disrupted a farmer’s market held for employees by taking tables and tents from small businesses.

Among those arrested was Microsoft software engineer Anna Hattle, as confirmed by The Verge. Former employees Hossam Nasr and Vaniya Agrawal were also detained, along with local community members who joined the protest. The group organizing the demonstrations, “No Azure for Apartheid,” has been vocal in criticizing Microsoft’s contracts with the Israeli Ministry of Defense, particularly its use of Azure cloud and AI services.

The protests come amid growing scrutiny of Microsoft’s role in the Israel-Palestine conflict. Earlier this month, The Guardian, in partnership with +972 Magazine and Local Call, reported that Israel relied on Microsoft’s Azure to store massive volumes of phone call data — allegedly up to “a million calls an hour” — which were later used in military operations. That investigation sparked renewed concerns about how Microsoft’s technology is being applied in the region.

In response, Microsoft said it is conducting a new independent review of these claims. A spokesperson told KOMO News that the company will continue to uphold human rights standards while also addressing unlawful actions that disrupt business or harm others. Microsoft previously carried out an internal and external review, both of which concluded that its contracts with the Israeli Ministry of Defense had not violated its terms of service.

However, mounting pressure from employees and shareholders has kept the issue in the spotlight. A petition by “No Azure for Apartheid” has gathered over 1,500 signatures from Microsoft staff, while more than 60 shareholders have urged the company to release a detailed report on human rights due diligence. Notably, artist Brian Eno, who created the iconic Windows 95 startup sound, also criticized Microsoft and pledged his payment from the project to humanitarian efforts in Gaza.

Wednesday’s arrests highlight how protests against Microsoft have grown more frequent and confrontational in recent months. In April, demonstrators interrupted the company’s 50th anniversary event, accusing leadership of being complicit in war crimes. Later, Microsoft fired several employees involved, citing misconduct. By May, reports surfaced that the company even blocked internal emails referencing Palestine or Gaza.

For now, Microsoft has confirmed that its latest independent review — being conducted by law firm Covington & Burling — will make its findings public once complete.