Redmond police arrested 18 people at Microsoft’s campus on August 20. The protest began around 12:15 p.m. in the main courtyard. In a post on X, police wrote, “18 arrested for various charges during a protest at Microsoft Campus. Redmond police are at the scene of a demonstration at the Microsoft campus.”
18 arrested for various charges during a protest at Microsoft Campus
— RedmondWaPD (@RedmondWaPD) August 20, 2025
Redmond police are at the scene of a demonstration at the Microsoft campus. On Aug 20, around 12:15 p.m., Redmond officers were dispatched to a large gathering of protestors in the Microsoft courtyard.… pic.twitter.com/L4jzjsdxkT
Protest Turns Aggressive
At first, officers tried to remove the protesters peacefully. However, the group resisted and became aggressive. According to police, some poured red paint on Microsoft’s sign and splashed it on the ground.
Meanwhile, others blocked a pedestrian bridge. They used stolen tables and chairs from vendors to create barricades.
As a result, police arrested 18 people. They charged them with trespassing, resisting arrest, obstruction, and malicious mischief. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The department also shared photos showing red paint on the Microsoft sign.
Microsoft Responds
Afterward, Microsoft confirmed that the group caused further damage. “Today, the group returned and engaged in vandalism and property damage,” the company said, as reported by Bloomberg.
Moreover, the company accused protesters of disrupting small businesses. “They also disrupted, harassed, and took tables and tents from local small businesses at a lunchtime farmer’s market for employees.”
Therefore, Microsoft expressed gratitude to police. “Microsoft deeply appreciates and supports the actions of local law enforcement officers and the Redmond Police Department,” it said.
Reason Behind the Protest
According to Bloomberg, employees protested Microsoft’s ties with Israel. The activist group No Azure for Apartheid demanded the company stop selling its products to Israel. They claimed Microsoft technology contributes to civilian deaths in Gaza.
However, Microsoft strongly denied the claim. In a May blog post, it wrote, “We found no evidence to date that Microsoft’s Azure and AI technologies have been used to target or harm people in the conflict in Gaza.”
Furthermore, the company repeated its stance recently. “As we have made clear, Microsoft is committed to its human rights standards and contractual terms of service, including in the Middle East,” it said.