Protesters entered the Sloterdijk district site on Friday as part of a two-day European mobilisation against large-scale data centre expansion.
Several hundred activists entered the construction site of a Microsoft data centre in the Sloterdijk district of Amsterdam on Friday, according to The Hindu. The group, which included the Geef Tegengas and Fossielvrij collectives, scaled barrier fences to halt work for the day.
The demonstration was part of a wider mobilisation by the Stop Dirty Data Centres coalition. This group has called for a pause on new developments across 16 countries on November 6 and 7 to allow governments to establish clearer rules regarding social and environmental impacts.
Protesters climbed cranes, set off flares, and sprayed messages on walls. Dutch news agency ANP reported that police arrested between 150 and 200 people, while others left the site voluntarily.
Geef Tegengas spokesman Nathan Timmer claimed the facility would consume as much energy as all Amsterdam households combined and use excessive amounts of water. Timmer also alleged the centre would be used for AI warfare and to facilitate genocide in Gaza.
The site owner, Pure Data Centres, which is supported by Oaktree and intends to invest over $1 billion, said it remains committed to engaging with local stakeholders. The company requested that those on site leave safely to engage in dialogue.
Microsoft stated it respects the right to peaceful expression but does not condone unlawful actions that risk safety. The company said it understood the strong feelings regarding the project.
