AMSTERDAM: 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 over the weekend, 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, more than 100 activists gathered at the construction site of a Microsoft 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 data centre”.
“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.
Site owner Pure Data Centres, which plans to invest more than $1 billion and is backed by Brookfield-owned Oaktree, said it was committed to engagement with local stakeholders.
“We respectfully ask those on site to leave safely and engage with us in dialogue about the development and any concerns they may have,” it said.
Other planned actions include a march in Dublin, a protest outside the parliament building in Warsaw, and a demonstration against a different Microsoft data centre in Denmark.
Microsoft said it understood that people had strong feelings about the project and respected their right to express them peacefully, but did not condone any unlawful actions.
Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2026
