Google employees gathered in a plaza outside the company's San Francisco office at 345 Spear St. around 11am Thursday.
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
The phrase "Not okay, Google" was widespread, an apparent reference to the "OK Google" keyword that activates its Google Home speakers.
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.
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.
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 organizer then read anonymous stories of inappropriate workplace behavior experienced at the company.
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
