Google has terminated the employment of 28 individuals in the wake of a sit-in protest concerning the tech behemoth’s contract to supply cloud computing and artificial intelligence services to the Israeli government.
The dismissals stem from demonstrations led by the group No Tech for Apartheid, which staged sit-ins at Google offices in California and New York on Tuesday to oppose the $1.2 billion agreement dubbed Project Nimbus.
Videos circulated on social media depicted law enforcement officers apprehending employees within the office of Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian.
In response, Google issued a statement on Thursday, condemning the actions of protesters who physically obstructed access to company facilities, characterizing such behavior as a “clear violation of our policies and completely unacceptable.”
“After repeated requests to vacate the premises were ignored, law enforcement was enlisted to ensure the safety of the office,” a company spokesperson stated. “Following individual investigations, 28 employees have been terminated from their positions, with ongoing inquiries underway to address any further necessary action.”
Additionally, Google refuted assertions that the contract in question pertained to weaponry or intelligence services.
CEO Sundar Pichai, in a blog post, indirectly cautioned protesting staff, emphasizing the importance of preserving an environment conducive to open dialogue while underscoring the workplace’s primary function as a platform for productivity rather than for contentious activism.
In response, No Tech for Apartheid accused Google of retaliatory measures and claimed that some of those terminated were not directly involved in the protests.
“This blatant act of retaliation underscores Google’s prioritization of its $1.2 billion contract with the Israeli government and military over the welfare of its own employees,” the group asserted in a statement published on Medium. “Throughout our three-year campaign against Project Nimbus, not a single executive has addressed our concerns.”
Moreover, No Tech For Apartheid dismissed allegations of property damage and obstruction of work, asserting that even those partaking in peaceful sit-ins refrained from such actions and garnered substantial support from colleagues.