Protesters break into Microsoft data centre construction site in Amsterdam

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

Members of the Dutch direct action group Geef Tegengas occupied the site in the Sloterdijk district, telling local broadcaster AT5 they were trying to stop construction. “We don’t want it to be built. Nobody needs it,” said Nathan Timmer of Geef Tegengas. “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.

Dutch police said Friday evening that they detained 150-200 people suspected of trespassing during the protest.

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.”

The Guardian reported that the break-in at the Westpoort site was separate from the pan-European “Stop Dirty Data Centres” campaign, whose affiliated members stayed outside the perimeter fence. Stop Dirty Data Centres said it had not coordinated or promoted the direct action in the Netherlands, but described it as “understandable” that communities would turn to a range of tactics when they were unable to meaningfully participate in decision-making.

A spokesperson for Pure Data Centres, the site owner, said it respected the right to peaceful protest but that entering a live construction site was unlawful and dangerous. “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,” a Pure DC spokesperson said.

The Verge reported that around 100 people made it into the construction site, with some scaling a crane to place a “fuck AI” banner. Protesters also unfurled a “Microsoft powers genocide” banner on the construction site, and chanted “Microsoft has got to go” and “free Palestine.”

The demonstrations were part of a wider European mobilisation. Dozens of civil society and grassroots groups planned “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, organizers said.

Smaller protests also took place in Germany, where a dozen protesters gathered in front of a data center on the outskirts of Berlin, and in Poland, where around 100 people protested in front of the Polish parliament representing communities around Warsaw where new centers are planned.

The Guardian reported that in the UK, smaller protests took place in the centre of Bristol, and in Croatia at the main square in Zagreb. Further protests were expected on Saturday.

Europe is projected to attract $5.6 trillion in cumulative data center capital expenditure from 2026 through 2050, accounting for around 18% of global investment, according to PwC’s Global Data Centre Outlook 2026–50. The U.S. is forecast to attract $15.1 trillion in capital spending on data centers during that period, the report said.

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.