Here's what it was like at the Google walkout protest in San Francisco
Google employees gathered in a plaza outside the company's San Francisco office at 345 Spear St. around 11am Thursday.
Many held banners at the ready. This one evokes Google's unofficial motto of many years
Soon after 11am, employees spilled out of the plaza area and onto the sidewalks.
They began chanting slogans like, "No justice, no peace!"
What appeared to be hundreds of workers flooded the sidewalks outside the Google office.
Many women wore teal ribbons on their lapels, a sign of solidarity with women who have survived sexual harassment.
Many of the protestors carried signs referring to the $90 million severance package that the New York Times reported was paid out by Google to Android creator Andy Rubin following an investigation into allegations of his inappropriate behavior.
Source: The New York Times
Other banners demanded that "hara--holes" within the company be held accountable for their actions.
The phrase "Not okay, Google" was widespread, an apparent reference to the "OK Google" keyword that activates its Google Home speakers.
Employees kept to the sidewalks and did not interrupt traffic flow.
They waited until it was their turn to cross intersections.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai has said that he supports the protests from his staff. "We are aware of the activities planned for Thursday and that employees will have the support they need if they wish to participate," he said in a statement.
Source: Business Insider
One employee brought attention to the company's demographics, which are still heavily weighted towards white males.
Employees marched along the Embarcadero, San Francisco's historic waterfront.
The sidewalks were flooded with Googlers.
Some continued to participate in chants, but most were quiet as they walked toward the city's Embarcadero Plaza in front of the Ferry Building.
The plaza in front of the Ferry Building served as the official rallying point for protesters.
Organizers led the crowd in chants from a raised platform.
At one point the organizer encouraged people to move toward the front with their signs, exclaiming through a microphone, "You're going to get fired, but it'll be worth it."
Choruses of "Show me what it means to be Google-y!" and "Time's up at Google!" echoed from the space.
The Google employees had flooded the entire plaza.
Many chanted "Enough is enough!" as well.
Curious passerby paused to take in the protest.
The organizer then read anonymous stories of inappropriate workplace behavior experienced at the company.
After some 35 minutes, the protest ended.
The throngs of Google workers exited the plaza.
The employees in San Francisco were just some of the thousands to have participated in Thursday's walkout.
Googlers in Colorado, New York, London, Tokyo, and other Google offices — including the Googleplex headquarters in Silicon Valley — all had similar walkouts of their own.
Source: Business Insider
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