Activists entered a Microsoft data center construction site in Amsterdam on Friday as part of two days of protests across Europe over the environmental and social impact of data centers.
Protesters broke into a construction site for a new Microsoft data center in Amsterdam on Friday, climbing cranes and hanging banners while police stood by, according to DW. The action was part of two days of planned protests in 16 countries, with campaigners demanding a pause in major artificial intelligence data center construction over concerns about electricity, water and environmental damage.
More than 100 activists gathered at the site, marching arm in arm before entering, DW reported. Some danced or carried placards reading: "Screw your data center."
"These data centers are destroying our world. It's becoming uninhabitable because of all the resources they consume. That's why we're here today," protester Sam van der Beek said, according to DW.
Dutch police said they detained 150-200 people suspected of trespassing during the protest, according to Al Jazeera and AP. Police said in a statement to NOS, a Dutch public broadcaster: "The police attempted to prevent [the occupation] and arrest protesters, but were unable to prevent it and force was used. An officer was slightly injured during the protest," according to The Guardian.
The action involved members of the Dutch direct-action group Geef Tegengas, according to The Guardian and dig.watch. Environmental campaigners from Fossielvrij NL also mobilised around the site, dig.watch reported.
The protest was directed at a project developed by Pure Data Centres for Microsoft, reportedly involving an investment exceeding 1 billion USD, according to dig.watch.
Microsoft said it respected people's right to express their views peacefully but did not condone unlawful actions, according to DW. A Microsoft spokesperson said: "We understand that people feel strongly about the project, and we respect their right to express those views peacefully. However, we do not condone any actions that are unlawful or that put people's safety at risk."
Site owner Pure Data Centres urged protesters to leave safely and discuss their concerns, according to DW. A spokesperson for Pure Data Centres said: "Our immediate priority is everyone's safety, and we respectfully ask those on site to leave safely and engage with us in dialogue about the development and any concerns they may have," according to The Guardian.
The Stop Dirty Data Centres coalition said other planned actions included a march in Dublin, a protest outside Poland's parliament and a demonstration against another Microsoft data center in Denmark, according to DW. Dozens of civil society and grassroots groups have said they will join the "Stop Dirty Data Centres" events on Friday and Saturday in 15 European countries, including Ireland, Poland, Denmark, Finland, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, France and the United Kingdom, according to Al Jazeera and AP.
The coalition said it was not calling for existing data centers to close. It wants governments to establish clearer rules before further large-scale construction proceeds, according to DW.
The Netherlands has about 200 data centers planned, under construction or operating, according to DW.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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Activists occupied a Microsoft data centre construction site in Amsterdam on Friday, climbing a crane and setting off flares. Police detained 150-200 people suspected of trespassing.
