Amsterdam – On Friday, members of the protest group Geef Tegengas entered the construction site for a new Microsoft data center in the Dutch capital. Some climbed the site’s crane and ignited flares, while others clashed with police officers who later escorted a number of demonstrators off the premises.
Protesters’ demands
Group spokesperson Nathan Timmer told local broadcaster AT5 that the occupation was intended to halt construction. “We don’t want it to be built. Nobody needs it,” Timmer said. He added that the facility would be used for “AI slop, AI warfare, data surveillance and committing genocides,” and vowed to keep protesting until the project is stopped.
Police response
Dutch police reported detaining between 150 and 200 people on suspicion of trespassing. By late afternoon, officers were still escorting activists away from the site, though a handful remained on the grounds.
Microsoft’s reaction
A Microsoft spokesperson acknowledged the demonstration, stating, “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.”
Broader European backlash
The Amsterdam incident is part of a coordinated wave of protests slated for several European countries this weekend. Organizers of the “Stop Dirty Data Centres” campaign plan actions in 15 nations, including Ireland, Poland, Denmark, Finland, Spain, Italy, France and the United Kingdom. In Germany, a dozen protesters gathered outside a data‑center site on the outskirts of Berlin, while roughly 100 demonstrators assembled in front of the Polish parliament in Warsaw.
In Italy, activists highlighted rapid growth of data‑center facilities in the Lombardy region, arguing that the expansion outpaces public consultation and environmental oversight. On October 10, more than 1,000 people and representatives from around 40 local committees gathered in Milan’s Piazza della Scala for what organizers described as Italy’s first national demonstration against data centers.
Economic context
According to PwC’s Global Data Centre Outlook 2026‑2050, Europe is projected to attract $5.6 trillion in cumulative data‑center capital expenditure from 2026 through 2050, representing roughly 18 % of global investment. By comparison, the United States is expected to draw $15.1 trillion over the same period.
The protests come shortly after the United States midterm elections, which saw a wave of Democratic candidates pledge tighter regulation of data‑center development. While the U.S. political climate may influence global discourse, the current demonstrations are driven primarily by local environmental and community concerns.
Original reporting: KTSA News/Talk (San Antonio) — read the source article.
