An Example Photo of a Data center. This particular image is of CNPC in Changping District, China.
More than 100 activists from the Stop Dirty Data Centres coalition—led by groups like Geef Tegengas and Extinction Rebellion, breached a Microsoft AI data center construction site in Amsterdam’s Sloterdijk district, kicking off a coordinated wave of anti-AI and anti-infrastructure protests across 16 European countries.
Protesters broke into the construction site of a Microsoft data centre in Amsterdam on Friday at the start of two days of rallies that are part of a growing global backlash over the rapid build-out of computing power needed for AI.
Activist groups have announced actions in 16 countries on Friday and Saturday, according to the “Stop Dirty Data Centres” coalition, which is rallying environmental groups and digital rights campaigns behind calls to pause large-scale construction.
In Amsterdam on Friday, more than 100 activists gathered at the construction site of a Microsoft (MSFT.O), opens new tab AI data centre, marching arm in arm before breaking into the site, climbing cranes, hanging balloons and dancing while police stood by. Some carried placards with messages reading, “Screw your datacentre”.
“These data centres are destroying our world. It’s becoming uninhabitable because of all the resources they consume. That’s why we’re here today,” protester Sam van der Beek said.
The action was part of a wider campaign against large data centres, with activists in several European countriesThe action was part of a wider campaign against large data centres, with activists in several European countries demanding a halt to new projects over concerns about their environmental and social costs. demanding a halt to new projects over concerns about their environmental and social costs.
Nobody Needs It’: Protesters Target Microsoft Site
Nathan Timmer, a member of the protest group Geef Tegengas, which translates as Push Back, told Dutch broadcaster AT5 that demonstrators had entered the site to prevent construction from moving forward.
“We don’t want it to be built. Nobody needs it,” Timmer said.
He also accused the growing data centre industry of supporting harmful uses of artificial intelligence and surveillance.
“The only thing this will be used for is AI slop. AI warfare, data surveillance and committing genocides. We don’t want that,” he added.
Timmer said the group would continue its protests until work on the facility was stopped.
Pro-Palestinian activists also took part in the demonstration. By late afternoon, police had begun escorting protesters away from the site, although some remained there, according to local media.
Microsoft acknowledged the demonstration and said it respected the right to peaceful protest.
“We understand that people feel strongly about the project, and we respect their right to express those views peacefully,” a spokesperson said.
“However, we do not condone any actions that are unlawful or that put people’s safety at risk.”
Protests Spread Across 15 European Countries
The Amsterdam demonstration was one of several planned actions under the ‘Stop Dirty Data Centres’ campaign.
Dozens of grassroots and civil society groups are taking part in protests on Friday and Saturday across 15 European countries. These include Ireland, Poland, Denmark, Finland, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, France and the UK.