In response to the March 2022 protests that included an embarrassing break-in to the office of President Brad Smith, Microsoft has fired two employees. A previous action organized against the Israeli military’s alleged use of Microsoft’s software to aid attacks on Gaza. On the first day of this protest, an extraordinary incident developed.
The protest took place on Tuesday at Microsoft’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington. The group, known as No Azure for Apartheid, has organized multiple actions throughout the year, including demonstrations at Microsoft’s Build developer conference and a celebration of the company’s 50th anniversary.
During the texture Microsoft protest, seven current and former Microsoft employees staged a sit-in and were said to have blocked access to the office. The protesters reportedly planted listening devices disguised as cell phones in Smith’s office. They wouldn’t leave until police forced them to.
A Microsoft spokesperson stated, “Two employees were terminated today following serious breaches of company policies and our code of conduct.” This declaratory judgment action went to the core of the optics company’s effort to preserve a civil workplace and enforce its Code of Conduct.
Additionally, the spokesperson noted, “These incidents are inconsistent with the expectations we maintain for our employees. The company is continuing to investigate and is cooperating fully with law enforcement regarding these matters.” As Microsoft noted, the intent here is for the company to more deeply understand how its services are being used and to better enforce its policies.
The protest highlights ongoing tensions regarding the use of technology in geopolitical conflicts, particularly in relation to Israel and Palestine. No Azure for Apartheid has publicly organized and protested against these moves, claiming that Microsoft is complicit in the violation of human rights. They all believe that Microsoft’s technology has contributed to these injustices.