About 100 enter Microsoft data centre site in Amsterdam

About 100 protesters entered the construction site of a Microsoft data centre in Amsterdam’s Sloterdijk district on November 6, as campaigners called for a halt to large-scale projects. Police intervened and several arrests were reported. Organisers said the wider demonstration involved several hundred people, but their estimate of site entrants was higher than the witness-based count reported in coverage of the event. The protest was organised by Dutch activist group Geef Tegengas, with environmental campaign group Fossielvrij NL also involved. Protesters opposed the development over its expected energy use and possible effects on plans for new housing. Some protesters climbed a construction crane, and banners and signs criticised artificial intelligence and Microsoft. Reports also described Palestinian flags and pro-Palestinian participation. Accounts differed on the sequence leading to the police response. One report said police stopped the march before it reached the site and that the mayor banned the demonstration; another said police surrounded protesters before the mayor ordered the protest to end. Riot police later intervened, and several arrests were reported. The...