Microsoft Employees Occupy Redmond HQ Protesting Israel Contracts

A group of current and former Microsoft employees, along with community members, have occupied a plaza at Microsoft's Redmond, Washington headquarters to protest the company's Azure contract with the Israeli Defense Force. The protesters declared the area a "Liberated Zone," renamed it "The Martyred Palestinian Children’s Plaza," and set up a negotiating table inviting Microsoft executives to end the partnership with Israel’s military. They have set up tents and symbolic displays highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and plan to occupy the space until forcibly removed. This protest follows previous demonstrations where Microsoft employees interrupted speeches by company executives, demanding a halt to the use of Microsoft’s AI products by the Israeli military, which led to the termination of those employees. Additionally, there are reports that Microsoft began blocking emails containing terms related to Palestine and Gaza, escalating tensions within the company. The protesters released a detailed 3,300-word declaration of their aims and continue to call for Microsoft to cease business with Israel amid the ongoing conflict.