7 protesters arrested at Microsoft president's office at Redmond, WA campus

REDMOND, Wash. - A group of protesters Microsoft workers held a sit-in for a short time on Tuesday inside Building 34, which houses executive offices.

What we know:

The group said it renamed the building the "Mai Ubeid Building" in honor of Mai Ubeid, a Palestinian software engineer who was killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza.

The protest, which included other disruptions and an outdoor rally, is part of a series of demonstrations against what the group calls Microsoft's role in the "genocide of Palestinians."

Police removed the protesters from Building 34 and on the campus.

What we don't know:

Seven people were arrested, according to Redmond police. Two were Microsoft employees.

The recent protests follow allegations that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have used Microsoft's Azure cloud computing platform to store phone call data obtained through the mass surveillance of Palestinians.

Inside the building

Before the sit-in, noisemakers attached to balloons were deployed into the atrium of Building 34. Once inside, protesters occupied the office of Microsoft President Brad Smith and delivered a summons notice. The notice read: "The People's Court Summons Bradford Lee Smith on Charges of Crimes Against Humanity."

Demonstrators unfurled two banners in the space. One declared the renaming of the building to the "Mai Ubeid Building." The other listed four demands: "1. Cut Ties with Israel, 2. Call for an End to the Genocide and Forced Starvation, 3. Pay Reparations to the Palestinians, 4. End the Discrimination Against Workers."

Outside the rally

While the sit-in took place, an outside rally was held with current and former Microsoft workers and community members.

During the rally, organizers of the "No Azure for Apartheid" group revealed an 18-foot scroll with their demands and the signatures of over 2,000 workers who have signed a petition over the past 15 months.

Previous protests and company response

Dig deeper:

This is the latest in a series of protests organized by "No Azure for Apartheid," which has been demanding for months that Microsoft sever its business ties with the Israeli military.

A protest on August 20 at the Microsoft campus led to the arrest of 18 people. Those arrested face charges including trespassing, malicious mischief, resisting arrest, and obstruction after allegedly vandalizing company property and blocking a pedestrian bridge.

In a statement following the August 20 protest, a Microsoft spokesperson said the company "is committed to its human rights standards and contractual terms of service, including in the Middle East."

The spokesperson added that Microsoft had launched "a thorough and independent review of new allegations first reported earlier this month about the purported use of its Azure platform in Israel."

The company has hired the law firm Covington & Burling LLP and an independent consulting firm to conduct a review.

What they're saying:

"Obviously, when seven folks do as they did today, you know, storm a building, do as they did today, occupy an office, lock other people out of an office, plant listening devices, cell phones hidden under couches, that’s not OK. When we asked them to leave and they refused, that’s not OK," said Brad Smith, Microsoft President and Vice Chair.

Smith acknowledged that the company was investigating claims that the Israeli defense forces used Microsoft’s Azure Cloud computing platform to store phone call data obtained through the mass surveillance of Palestinians, specifically looking into claims written in an article in the Guardian. 

"Some of what they heard turned out to be true, and much of what they reported needs to be tested," said Smith.

Smith also denied there was company retaliation against employees, and stated that he was listening to ideas and concerns.

"As you can imagine, we are getting no small measure of feedback from the group that’s called Jews at Microsoft, from the group that’s called Palestinian Allies at Microsoft, from our group of our employees across the Middle East and North Africa," said Smith.

As for how the protesters got in on Tuesday, Smith says they have security footage that’s being reviewed.

"The building was designed in 2002, with a certain level of security that has stood the test of time for 23 years until today," said Smith.

He says an employee also tipped the company off on Monday that someone was seeking information on the building layout.

"We did get a report yesterday afternoon from an employee, that someone from the group No Azure For Apartheid was calling around seeking a floor plan, so obviously one way or another they figured out how to get in, we will adapt our security accordingly," said Smith. 

He says the two Microsoft employees who were arrested on Tuesday were also arrested last week and could face termination. 

MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE

Travis Decker manhunt: Law enforcement provide update on WA search

Hundreds rally for disabled veteran outside Tacoma ICE Detention Center

6 King County beaches close due to high bacteria levels

Heat wave worsens Bear Gulch Fire still burning in Mason County

Marysville police urge back-to-school safety after 1K violations last year

To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.

Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news. 

MicrosoftRedmondNews