Police arrested 18 people during worker-led protests at Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:MSFT) headquarters in Redmond, Washington, on Wednesday, as demonstrations against the company’s ties to Israel entered a second day.
Officers said protesters became aggressive after being told to leave and splashed red paint on a landmark company sign. Charges include trespassing, resisting arrest and obstruction.
The protests follow reports that the Israeli military used Microsoft’s Azure cloud to store mass surveillance data from Gaza and the West Bank.
Microsoft said such use would breach its terms and has commissioned law firm Covington & Burling to carry out an “urgent” review.
Campaigners, organised under the “No Azure for Apartheid” banner, want Microsoft to sever all contracts with Israel.