Protesters break into Microsoft data center site in Amsterdam

The action came during two days of protests organised by Stop Dirty Data Centres, a coalition that says more than 100 groups are involved and is calling for moratoria on new data centers. The Guardian reported that the break-in was part of a backlash against the environmental and social costs of the AI boom.

What happened at the site

Two groups entered the site by cutting open a gate, according to a police statement cited by Bloomberg. Police arrested at least one person and seized an angle grinder and climbing equipment. One officer suffered a slight injury, the police told Dutch broadcaster NOS. The police said they used force, and protesters said officers also used tear gas.

Activists from Geef Tegengas clashed with police, the Guardian reported. The Dutch direct action group said members climbed a crane, lit flares and tied helium balloons to equipment. Banners objected to Microsoft's work for the Israeli military and for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Organisers and local media reported hundreds of protesters on each side of the fence. A campaigner with Fossil Free Netherlands put the crowd at about 400, while Geef Tegengas claimed 500 people entered the site, according to Data Center Dynamics.

Geef Tegengas posted on Instagram: "We won't accept Amsterdam being used for the facilitation of genocide and the creation of AI slop."

Two campaigns at one site

The break-in was separate from the Stop Dirty Data Centres campaign, which targeted the same site but whose affiliated members stayed outside the perimeter fence, the Guardian reported. Stop Dirty Data Centres said it had not coordinated or promoted the direct action. The coalition includes national branches of Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth and wants moratoria on large data centers at local, national and European level.

"Big tech and government are racing ahead with large-scale datacentre development despite significant public concern about the impacts on local communities, natural resources and other industries," said Owen Espley, campaign coordinator for Stop Dirty Data Centres.

The coalition says construction should pause until governments set clearer rules on development. Its website lists actions at 85 locations across 16 countries on 6 and 7 November, Tom's Hardware reported. The list includes Dublin, Warsaw and another Microsoft site in Denmark. Smaller protests took place in Bristol, Berlin, Warsaw and Zagreb, and further protests are expected on Saturday.

Microsoft said it respected the right to peaceful expression but did not condone unlawful action. It said the safety of people at and around the site was its first concern. Pure Data Centres, which owns the site, asked those on site to leave safely and to discuss their concerns with the company.

Why the protest matters

The Amsterdam site is planned to have 78MW of capacity, with Microsoft set to be its sole tenant, according to Gizmodo. The facility is being developed by Pure Data Centres Group. Stop Dirty Data Centres says data centers are linked to rising energy bills, water shortages and the climate crisis.