The Pulse

Riot Police Move to Clear Occupied Microsoft Data-Center Site in Amsterdam

Riot police moved to clear a Microsoft data-center construction site in Amsterdam after activists broke in around midday. Police said demonstrators who did not leave voluntarily would be detained; an officer was lightly injured during the p

AI.info Team · Written with AI · fact-checked · 2026-11-06

Activists Entered the Sloterdijk Construction Site

Police were clearing the construction site in Amsterdam’s Sloterdijk district where a Microsoft data center is planned. Dozens of pro-Palestinian activists entered the site around midday; the activists said there were hundreds. Some demonstrators left voluntarily, while riot police moved to remove dozens who remained. A NOS cameraman at the scene saw groups of demonstrators contained and individuals brought out one at a time. Those who did not leave voluntarily would be detained, police said.

Activists Broke Through Fences as a Protest Was Due to Begin

A Fossielvrij NL protest against the arrival of the data center was due to start at the construction site at noon. Another group of activists broke through the fences. Demonstrators on their way to the protest had items including an angle grinder and climbing equipment, police said. They did not hand over the items despite repeated requests, police said, and confrontations followed.

After the items were eventually handed over, the demonstrators went to the protest location, according to police. They then climbed onto a crane on the site and the roof of the data center under construction. A fence was cut, and demonstrators entered the site from the rear.

Police Reported an Arrest and an Injured Officer

The occupation had succeeded, Geef Tegengas said in a press release, as reported by NOS. Several hundred demonstrators had entered the construction site, the organisation said. One demonstrator was arrested for “het beletten en belemmeren van uitvoeren van het werk” (preventing and obstructing the work), police said.

In a statement, police said: “De politie heeft geprobeerd dit te verhinderen en demonstranten aan te houden, maar heeft dit niet kunnen voorkomen en hierbij is geweld gebruikt.” (In our translation: “Police tried to prevent this and to detain demonstrators, but could not stop it, and force was used.”) An officer was lightly injured during the protest.

Protesters Displayed Banners and Palestinian Flags

Activists, including members of Geef Tegengas, were at the site before the protest began. They carried banners reading “Microsoft is genocide.” The Israeli military was a Microsoft customer, a demonstrator said. NOS correspondent Danny Simons, who was at the site, saw activists tie balloons to the fences, hang Palestinian flags and skip rope.

Fossielvrij NL held a demonstration outside the construction site. The group opposes the arrival of data centers because some of them run on gas.

Microsoft Responded to the Protest

Microsoft told NOS it was aware of the protest, which had got out of hand. The company said: “We begrijpen dat dit project veel losmaakt en respecteren het recht van mensen om hun mening op een vreedzame wijze te uiten. We keuren echter geen acties goed die in strijd zijn met de wet of die de veiligheid van mensen in gevaar brengen.” (In our translation: “We understand that this project stirs strong feelings and respect people’s right to express their views peacefully. We do not, however, condone actions that break the law or put people’s safety at risk.”)