Hundreds arrested after Microsoft data center protest turns violent
It's unclear which group entered the construction site first, but the action led to the arrest of 150 to 200 protesters.
Police in Amsterdam have arrested between 150 and 200 protesters at a Microsoft data center site, accused of trespassing. Initially, authorities seized tools used to break into the area, allowing the group to protest peacefully. However, some individuals within the group allegedly entered the construction site "violently," prompting the police to intervene and resulting in their arrest.
Additionally, stolen items from the site and damage were discovered among the protesters' belongings. This protest is part of a larger movement called "Stop Dirty Data Centers," which plans similar actions across Europe, including in Amsterdam, Dublin, Warsaw, Denmark, and other cities. The arrested individuals are members of Fossielvrij, an organization opposed to the use of fossil fuels in data centers, particularly those powered by jet engines like those installed at xAI's Mississippi data center.
The protest occurs amid growing criticism of energy-intensive AI data centers, with some accusing tech billionaires of prioritizing power consumption over environmental concerns.
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