A worker-led coalition calling itself “No Azure for Apartheid” established an encampment on 19 Aug. at Microsoft’s east campus in Redmond, Washington, demanding the company sever business with the Israeli military. Protesters, including current and former employees and local community members, renamed the site “Martyred Palestinian Children’s Plaza” and pledged to remain until the company ends what they described as complicity in Israel’s war in Gaza. Tensions escalated on 20 Aug. when Redmond police, responding to a trespass complaint from Microsoft, arrested 18 demonstrators on charges that include trespassing, malicious mischief, resisting arrest and obstruction. Officers alleged that some protesters poured red paint over a landmark Microsoft sign and used furniture taken from a farmers’ market to block a pedestrian bridge. Organisers said at least one current employee was among those detained. Microsoft said the demonstration followed reports by the Guardian, +972 Magazine and Local Call alleging that Israel’s Defense Forces used the company’s Azure cloud services to store large-scale phone surveillance data from Palestinians. The company last week hired the law firm Covington & Burling to conduct an “urgent and independent” review, reiterating that its standards prohibit such use and pledging to publish the findings. The latest action marks the most significant escalation in months of internal dissent over Microsoft’s defence work. Earlier this year the company fired several employees who disrupted events to protest the Israel contracts. Organisers indicated they will continue pressure campaigns until Microsoft abandons the agreements.