Protesters break into Microsoft data centre construction site in Amsterdam

Protest at Amsterdam construction site

Protesters broke into a construction site for a new Microsoft data centre in Amsterdam on Friday, with some climbing a crane and setting off flares while others clashed with police, according to reporting by The Associated Press.

Nathan Timmer of the protest group Geef Tegengas, a phrase that translates as Push Back, told local broadcaster AT5 that protesters were occupying the site in an effort to stop construction.

“We don’t want it to be built. Nobody needs it,” Timmer said. “The only thing this will be used for is AI slop. AI warfare, data surveillance, and committing genocides. We don’t want that,” he added, vowing to continue protesting until construction is halted.

Pro-Palestinian activists also joined the demonstrations in the Dutch capital. By late afternoon police were escorting activists off the construction site, though some still remained, local media reported.

Microsoft response

Microsoft said it was aware of the Amsterdam demonstration.

“We understand that people feel strongly about the project, and we respect their right to express those views peacefully,” a spokesperson said. “However, we do not condone any actions that are unlawful or that put people’s safety at risk.”

Wider European protests

Campaigners against data centres in Europe are expected to stage protests and other actions in several countries on Friday and Saturday, demanding a moratorium on large-scale developments to address social and environmental concerns.

Dozens of civil society and grassroots groups have said they will join the “Stop Dirty Data Centres” events on Nov. 6-7 in 15 European countries, including Ireland, Poland, Denmark, Finland, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, France and the U.K., organizers said.

In Germany, a dozen protesters gathered in front of a data centre on the outskirts of Berlin on Friday.

“We want to put a stop to this blind construction of data centres around Germany, regardless of any environmental concerns,” said the protest spokeswoman Caro Weber. “This is really, really dangerous for our future.”

In Italy, more than 1,000 people and representatives of around 40 local committees gathered in Milan’s Piazza della Scala on Oct. 10 for what organizers described as Italy’s first national demonstration against data centres.

Why it matters

The Amsterdam protest is part of a growing European movement opposing data centre construction over energy, water, and environmental concerns. Organizers are calling for a moratorium on new projects and a national strategy governing the industry’s growth.

Sources

• bnnbloomberg.ca: Protesters push bank against Microsoft data centre site in Europe
• thestar.com: Protesters break into Microsoft data center site in Amsterdam as Europe’s backlash spreads
• ctvnews.ca: Protesters push bank against Microsoft data centre site in Europe

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.