Several hundred activists occupied the construction site of a planned Microsoft data centre in Amsterdam on Friday, November 6, halting work for the day as part of growing opposition to large-scale data centre development across Europe. The demonstration took place in the Sloterdijk district and involved members of Geef Tegengas, a climate and justice campaign group, and environmental organisation Fossielvrij. Protesters entered the site by climbing barriers, while some climbed construction equipment and displayed banners. The action was part of a wider two-day European protest campaign calling for greater scrutiny and a pause in large-scale data centre projects over environmental and social concerns. “It’s so many things, so many struggles that come together in this data centre,” Geef Tegengas spokesperson Nathan Timmer told AFP. Campaigners raised concerns about the facilities’ electricity and water consumption, as well as the expanding influence of major technology companies. Some protesters also linked their opposition to Microsoft’s technology services and their alleged use in surveillance and military activities. Dutch police reportedly detained between 150 and 200 people on suspicion of trespassing during the demonstration. AP News +1 Microsoft said it respected the right to peaceful protest but opposed unlawful actions or activities that could endanger people’s safety. The Washington Post The Amsterdam demonstration reflects increasing resistance to data centre construction as demand for computing power grows with the expansion of artificial intelligence and cloud services. Similar protests were planned in several European countries as campaigners called for stronger environmental safeguards and greater public participation in decisions about infrastructure projects.

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