Redmond Police Department issues statement on the arrest of 7, including two employees, for protests at Microsoft office

The Redmond police department has at least two current and three former Microsoft employees – as well as two other tech workers for illegally entering Microsoft’s Redmond headquarters, breaking into the office of President Brad Smith. According to reports, the police placed the protesters in full-body harnesses and carried them out of the building. The protest was organised by No Azure for Apartheid who confirmed to The Verge that Microsoft employees Riki Fameli and Anna Hattle joined the sit-in, alongside former workers Vaniya Agrawal, Hossam Nasr, and Joe Lopez. The protestors demanded the 50-year-old company to terminate its ties with the Israeli government and offer reparations to Palestinians. After the arrest of Microsoft protestors, the Redmond Police department shared an X (formerly Twitter) post where it informed that “seven individuals entered a building, barricaded themselves inside an executive office, and refused to leave”. “All seven were taken into custody for trespassing, resisting arrest, and obstruction,” the post further added.

Here’s the official statement by Redmond Police Department on the arrests

Seven Arrested for Unlawfully Occupying Executive Office at Microsoft On August 26 at approximately 1 p.m., Redmond Police officers responded to a report of demonstrators gathered on the sidewalk at the Microsoft campus.Seven individuals entered a building, barricaded themselves inside an executive office, and refused to leave. All seven were taken into custody for trespassing, resisting arrest, and obstruction. No injuries were reported.The demonstrators outside the building eventually moved to public property and later dispersed. No additional arrests were made.This remains an active and ongoing investigation.In another post dated August 21, the police department announced the arrest of 18 persons following various charges during a protest at Microsoft campus on August 20. “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,” the official statement read. Stating that “a few protesters had poured paint over the Microsoft sign and on the ground,” the post continued that “Officers took 18 into custody for multiple charges, including trespassing, malicious mischief, resisting arrest, and obstruction.”18 arrested for various charges during a protest at Microsoft CampusRedmond 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. Officers initially attempted to trespass the protestors, but they resisted and became aggressive. A few protesters had poured paint over the Microsoft sign and on the ground. Others had blocked a pedestrian bridge and were using stolen tables and chairs from vendors to form a barrier. Officers took 18 into custody for multiple charges, including trespassing, malicious mischief, resisting arrest, and obstruction. No injuries were reported. Thank you to Washington State Patrol, Bellevue, WA Police Department, and Kirkland Police Department for assisting during the incident. This is an ongoing investigation.