REDMOND, WA: On Wednesday, Aug. 20, Redmond PD officers violently dismantled the Palestine encampment at Microsoft’s corporate headquarters set up by current and former tech workers and community members with the No Azure for Apartheid Coalition.20 coalition members were arrested.Police have claimed that protestors became “aggressive” before arrests commenced, and a spokesperson for Microsoft told Fox13 that protestors “harassed” others in the plaza and said that the company would “[take] clear steps to address unlawful actions that damage property, disrupt business, or that threaten and harm others.” TRNN editor-in-chief Maximillian Alvarez was one of the only journalists on the ground: “I was standing and filming 10 feet away the entire time, and I saw nothing of the sort,” Alvarez says. “The protestors weren’t threatening or harming anyone.” This video shows Alvarez’s uninterrupted, 37-minute shot documenting the moments before, during, and after police dismantled the encampment. Officers begin dismantling the encampment and making arrests around 14:30 in the video.

Follow Alvarez and Trnn on Instagram and Tiktok for more updates as this story unfolds.

BACKGROUND:
Current and former tech workers at Microsoft joined with community supporters to establish an encampment at Microsoft HQ in solidarity with Palestinians facing genocide and in protest of Microsoft’s contracts with the Israeli military to provide tech that Israel uses to surveil, kill, and retroactively justify the killing of Palestinians. Just before 12:30PM PT on Tuesday, Aug. 19, members of the No Azure for Apartheid coalition walked out to Microsoft’s East Campus Plaza to establish their “liberated zone,” renaming the plaza “The Martyred Palestinian Children’s Plaza.”

as the No Azure for Apartheid coalition stated in a press release on Tuesday,

>This action is in response to Microsoft’s ongoing partnership with the Israeli military and the recent news of Microsoft technology being used to surveil, starve and kill Palestinians. This action marks the biggest escalation targeting Microsoft following multiple investigations that exposed the company’s deep ties to the Israeli military.

Microsoft Headquarters Protest: Workers Demand End to Azure contract with Israeli Military

I was on the ground in Redmond, WA, this week covering a major protest action at Microsoft’s headquarters, an event largely ignored by mainstream media. Current and former tech workers at Microsoft joined community supporters to establish an encampment in solidarity with Palestinians facing genocide and to protest Microsoft’s contracts with the Israeli military. These contracts provide technology used by Israel for surveillance, and to both carry out and retroactively justify the killing of Palestinians.

On Tuesday, August 19th, members of the No Azure for Apartheid coalition walked out to Microsoft’s East Campus Plaza, establishing their “liberated zone” and renaming the plaza to “The Martyred palestinian Children’s Plaza.”

After police and company security dispersed the encampment with threats of arrest,current and former tech workers returned around noon on Wednesday,August 20th,to re-establish their presence. The situation escalated over the next hour, with Microsoft security and Redmond PD surrounding the encampment. Washington State Patrol, Bellevue Police, and Kirkland Police were also reportedly present. Ultimately, Redmond PD officers violently dismantled the encampment and arrested 20 members of the coalition.

I was one of the only journalists on the ground at Microsoft on both Tuesday and Wednesday, reporting for The Real News. I filmed the entire police dismantling of the encampment and the events leading up to it. Police issued multiple dispersal orders, citing trespassing on private property and the threat of arrest.Protestors did utilize tables and chairs from the Microsoft courtyard to create makeshift barricades, and red paint was applied to the ground and around the Microsoft sign.

However,police claims of “aggressive” protestors and a Microsoft spokesperson’s assertion that protestors “harassed” others and “damaged property” are demonstrably false. I was standing just 10 feet away the entire time and witnessed no such behavior. I have uninterrupted footage of the events, beginning with the police dismantling the encampment and making arrests at the 11-minute mark.

This footage, and the events it captures, expose a clear attempt to discredit a peaceful protest demanding an end to corporate complicity in violence.

Pro-Palestine Encampment Dismantled at University of Washington,Protesters Arrested

A pro-Palestine encampment at the University of Washington (UW) in Seattle was dismantled by police on Monday,May 13,2024,resulting in the arrest of at least 25 protesters.The action follows similar crackdowns at universities across the united States in response to student demonstrations calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and divestment from companies with ties to Israel. The Real News Network provides ongoing coverage of the events.

Details of the UW Encampment and Police Action

The encampment, established on May 6, 2024, occupied Red Square on the UW campus. Protesters demanded that the university divest from companies like Microsoft and Boeing, alleging their involvement in providing technology and weaponry used by the Israeli military. The Seattle Times reported that UW officials had repeatedly asked protesters to leave, citing violations of university policy.

On Monday morning, a large police presence, including officers from the UW Police department and the Seattle Police Department, moved in to clear the encampment. Protesters were given warnings before officers began dismantling tents and making arrests. According to reports, some protesters resisted arrest, leading to physical confrontations. The university stated that those arrested would face disciplinary action in addition to potential criminal charges.

Microsoft’s Role and Protester Demands

A central focus of the protest was Microsoft’s $19 billion contract with the U.S. Army to develop HoloLens augmented reality headsets.Protesters argue that this technology is being used for military applications in conflict zones, including Gaza.They are calling on Microsoft to cancel the contract and for UW to divest from the company. The Guardian details the specific concerns regarding Microsoft’s involvement.

National Context: University Protests and Crackdowns

The UW encampment dismantling is part of a broader wave of protests and police responses at universities nationwide. Similar demonstrations have taken place at Columbia university, New York University, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and others. These protests have been met with varying degrees of force, ranging from negotiations to mass arrests. NBC News provides a comprehensive overview of the national situation.

Legal and First amendment Concerns

the police response to the protests has raised concerns about free speech rights and the use of force. Legal observers argue that universities have a duty to protect students’ right to protest, even when those protests are disruptive. The american Civil liberties Union (ACLU) has expressed concern over the arrests and the potential chilling effect on student activism.

Key Takeaways

• The University of Washington police dismantled a pro-Palestine encampment on May 13, 2024, arresting at least 25 protesters.
• Protesters demanded UW divest from companies like Microsoft and Boeing due to their alleged ties to the Israeli military.
• Microsoft’s $19 billion HoloLens contract with the U.S. Army is a key point of contention.
• The UW action is part of a national trend of university protests and police crackdowns.
• Concerns have been raised about free speech rights and the use of force in response to the protests.

Looking Ahead

The dismantling of the encampment at UW does not appear to have quelled the student movement. Organizers have vowed to continue protesting and advocating for their demands. The situation remains fluid, and further demonstrations and confrontations are likely. The ongoing protests highlight the deep divisions and strong emotions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the role of U.S. institutions in the conflict.