A group of Google workers protested at Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian’s office, demanding the end of the company’s collaboration with the Israeli government.
The protest lasted over eight hours, and some employees were arrested for refusing to leave until their demands were met.
Employees in California and New York initiated the protest due to Google’s involvement in Project Nimbus, a billion-dollar AI contract signed in 2021. They were upset about Google’s connections with the Israeli government.
The protesters, part of the No Tech for Apartheid movement within Google, livestreamed their protest on Twitch using the hashtag #notech4apartheid. They wanted Google to cut all ties with the Israeli military and government, citing ethical concerns and worker safety issues.
As evening came, a company representative asked the protesters to leave, but they refused. Police were called, and several protesters were arrested, ending the sit-in.
One protester, Emaan Haseem, a Google software engineer, spoke about the importance of condemning Project Nimbus and any support for the Israeli government. She mentioned colleagues resigning due to concerns about Project Nimbus affecting mental health.
The protest highlighted Google employees’ belief that Project Nimbus contributes to AI use in conflicts, including in Gaza, which some view as an AI-powered genocide.
The incident reflects growing dissent within Google and raises questions about the ethical responsibilities of tech giants in global politics and human rights issues. The protesting employees aimed to push Google to reconsider its contracts and the moral impact of its technological projects.
