Police intervene after protesters occupy Microsoft data center site in Amsterdam

Pro-Palestinian activists enter construction site in Sloterdijk district, 1 arrest reported

Dutch police intervened Friday after pro-Palestinian activists occupied a construction site for a planned Microsoft data center in Amsterdam, public broadcaster NOS reported. Dozens of demonstrators entered the site in the Sloterdijk district around noon, while the activist group Geef Tegengas said several hundred people had joined the occupation. Some protesters left voluntarily, while police began removing others from the premises. Police warned that those refusing to leave could be arrested. According to police, demonstrators climbed onto a crane and the roof of the building under construction after entering the site. One person was arrested on suspicion of obstructing construction work, and an officer was slightly injured during the intervention. The occupation coincided with a planned protest by environmental group Fossielvrij NL, which opposes the construction of data centers partly because of their energy use. Some demonstrators carried Palestinian flags and banners criticizing Microsoft’s alleged links to Israel. One protester reportedly said that the Israeli army was a Microsoft customer. Microsoft said it respected the right to peaceful protest but did not condone unlawful actions or activities that endangered public safety.