World · Europe · 1 hr ago
Protesters break into Microsoft data center site in Amsterdam
Activists broke through fences at a Microsoft data center site in Amsterdam’s Sloterdijk district on Friday.
Reports put the number who entered at anywhere from dozens to around 100, and police later let the group move on.
Protesters chanted pro-Palestinian slogans and displayed banners opposing AI and Microsoft’s role in Israel’s war against Hamas.
The project involves three 85-metre towers, and Microsoft is to be the site’s sole tenant.
Amsterdam banned new data centers until 2030, but this project had been planned since 2016 and reached construction despite the ban.
The protest reflects growing opposition to data center projects across Europe, including concerns about their impact and Microsoft’s work.
The sources do not say whether the construction or project plans will change.
Protesters broke through fences at the planned site of a Microsoft data center in Amsterdam on November 6.
NOS reported that dozens of demonstrators clashed with police near Plimsollweg in the Sloterdijk district.
The Verge reported that around 100 people entered the construction site, where some climbed a crane and displayed banners.
The protest was organized against plans to build three 85-metre data center towers, with Microsoft as the sole tenant.
- Who
- Protesters, including members of the Geef Tegengas group; NOS said Fossielvrij NL was due to hold a protest.
- What
- Demonstrators broke through fences around the planned Microsoft data center site. NOS reported clashes with police.
- When
- November 6, 2026, late morning; a protest was due to begin around noon.
- Where
- Plimsollweg in the Sloterdijk district of Amsterdam, Netherlands.
- Why
- They were protesting the planned data center and its construction.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The data center project was planned, according to The Verge.
Amsterdam announced a temporary stop on new data centers.
Demonstrators broke through fences at the planned site and clashed with police.
A protest by Fossielvrij NL against the data center was due to begin.
- Planned towers
- Three towers, each 85 metres tall
- Sole tenant
- Microsoft
- Site location
- Plimsollweg, Sloterdijk district, Amsterdam
- Protesters inside site
- Around 100, according to Reuters as reported by The Verge
- Police presence
- About 30 police vans, according to an NOS reporter
3 sources
What people are saying
fuck AI
Microsoft powers genocide
Microsoft has got to go
free Palestine