In Amsterdam on November 6, activists entered the construction site of a Microsoft data center. More than 100 people rushed to the area: some climbed a crane and launched fireworks, sending blue and red smoke into the sky. Others confronted the police. In just one day between 150 and 200 people were arrested in the city. On the same day, opponents of data centers took to the streets in several European countries, demanding a freeze on large-scale construction due to social and environmental problems related to energy-intensive facilities.
The action in Amsterdam became part of the wide-ranging pan-European campaign Stop Dirty Data Centers, which united more than 100 environmental, human rights and digital organizations in 16 European countries.
In addition to the environmental agenda, the posters of the protesters contained slogans against the uncontrolled introduction of commercial AI, as well as accusations against technology giants due to reports of using their cloud capabilities for military purposes and direct involvement in genocide in the Gaza Strip.