Stop Dirty Data Centres: Activists Storm Microsoft AI Data Centre Site In Amsterdam Amid Global Protests

Activists stormed a Microsoft AI data centre construction site in Amsterdam on Friday, November 6, climbing cranes, setting off flares and clashing with police as protests against energy-hungry AI infrastructure spread across Europe. Dutch police detained 150-200 people suspected of trespassing.

More than 100 activists from Dutch direct-action group Geef Tegengas, meaning 'Push Back', entered the construction site in Amsterdam's Westpoort district. Some climbed cranes, attached balloons to equipment and displayed banners criticising Microsoft's links with the Israeli military and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The protesters carried placards with slogans such as "Screw your datacentre" and "Microsoft Powered Genocide". Activist Roos Molenaar said the facility was consuming drinking water to increase the wealth of technology companies. Another campaigner warned against Amsterdam being used for AI-generated content and what they described as facilitating genocide.

The anger was also visible in demonstrations elsewhere. In Warsaw, Poland, protesters held placards reading "Let's not let the world drown in AI slop!", "What is the true COST of this investment?" and "Water consumption: 1 data centre = 3,000 people. And they tell the US to save water?!" Another banner read: "Two data centers, 35 metres from our homes! Prime Minister Tusk, help!!!"

The Amsterdam site is being developed by Pure Data Centres, which plans to invest more than $1 billion in the project. The company urged protesters to leave safely and offered to discuss their concerns. Microsoft said it respected peaceful demonstrations but did not condone unlawful or unsafe actions. Police also confirmed that an officer was slightly injured during the incident.

The demonstrations coincided with the 'Stop Dirty Data Centres' campaign, which organised protests across 16 countries on November 6 and 7. Campaigners are demanding a moratorium on new large-scale data centres, citing electricity consumption, water shortages, environmental damage and inadequate public consultation.

Protests also took place in Germany, Poland, Italy, the UK and other European countries. In Milan, more than 1,000 people had demonstrated against data centre expansion on October 10.

According to PwC's Global Data Centre Outlook 2026-50, Europe could attract $5.6 trillion in data centre investment between 2026 and 2050, accounting for around 18 per cent of global spending. The US is projected to attract $15.1 trillion.