In a dramatic demonstration that echoed a growing European movement, several hundred activists broke into a construction site for a new Microsoft data centre in the Sloterdijk district of Amsterdam on Friday. The occupation was part of a coordinated two‑day protest that called for a halt to the building of data centres across 15 European countries.
Protesters, many of whom were members of the Dutch group Geef Tegengas, also known as Push Back, clashed with police as some climbed a crane and set off flares. The group’s spokesperson, Nathan Timmer, told local broadcaster AT5 that the occupation aimed to stop the construction, arguing that the facility would only be used for “AI slop, AI warfare, data surveillance and committing genocide.”
Pro‑Palestinian activists joined the demonstration, adding a broader political dimension to the protest. By late afternoon, police had escorted most activists off the site, though a few remained on the premises. Dutch police reported detaining between 150 and 200 people suspected of trespassing.
Microsoft acknowledged the demonstration and expressed respect for the right to peaceful expression, while condemning unlawful actions that jeopardise safety. A 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.”
The protest in Amsterdam was part of a broader campaign titled “Stop Dirty Data Centres,” which saw activists in countries such as Ireland, Poland, Denmark, Finland, Spain, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom staging similar actions. In Berlin, a dozen protesters gathered outside a data centre on the city’s outskirts, while in Warsaw, about 100 people demonstrated in front of the Polish parliament to oppose new data centre plans.
Critics of data centres point to the massive computing power and water usage required to operate these facilities, arguing that the rapid expansion of cloud computing and AI infrastructure outpaces public consultation and environmental oversight. The growing grassroots opposition highlights concerns over the environmental and societal impacts of the industry’s growth.
Source: Al Jazeera
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