Datacentre protest and a giant statue of Pope Leo: photos of the day

Live updates

1. 21m ago

   Activists breach Microsoft data centre site in Amsterdam as Europe-wide protests target AI infrastructure

   Protesters entered a Microsoft data centre construction site in Amsterdam on Friday, climbing cranes and unfurling banners against artificial intelligence expansion and the company's alleged role in the Gaza war. The action launched two days of coordinated rallies across 16 countries organised by the Stop Dirty Data Centres coalition, which demands a pause on large-scale construction. More than 100 activists gathered at the Amsterdam site, where police stood by as demonstrators hung balloons and danced. Similar protests are spreading across Europe amid growing backlash over the rapid build-out of computing power for AI.

   Why it matters

   Environmental groups and digital rights campaigns have united behind calls to halt the energy-intensive infrastructure required for artificial intelligence. The Stop Dirty Data Centres coalition frames the expansion as a climate threat and a driver of resource extraction. Microsoft's involvement in providing cloud services to the Israeli military has added a geopolitical dimension to the protests. Friday's breach marks an escalation from peaceful demonstration to direct action at a major tech construction site.

   What is confirmed

   • Protesters broke into a Microsoft data centre construction site in Amsterdam on Friday, 6 November 2026.
   • More than 100 activists gathered at the Amsterdam site, climbing cranes and unfurling banners.
   • The action was part of coordinated rallies across 16 countries organised by the Stop Dirty Data Centres coalition.
   • Protesters denounced artificial intelligence expansion and Microsoft's alleged involvement in the war in Gaza.
   • Police stood by as demonstrators hung balloons and danced at the construction site.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Activist groups have announced actions in 16 countries on Friday and Saturday.
   • The coalition is rallying environmental groups and digital rights campaigns behind calls to pause large-scale construction.

   What to watch next

   • Police response and potential arrests following the site breach in Amsterdam
   • Whether protests disrupt construction timelines at other Microsoft or tech company data centre sites in Europe
   • Microsoft's public response to the allegations regarding Gaza and the coalition's demand for a construction pause
   Sources used for this update (12)

   1. www.theguardian.com — AI godfather Geoffrey Hinton: ‘We’re creating alien beings. I’m willing to be selfish and choose humans’ | Donald Trump
   2. Reuters — Activists breach Microsoft data centre construction site as protests spread in Europe
   3. Bloomberg.com — Protesters Break Into Microsoft Data Center in Amsterdam
   4. The Guardian — Datacentre protest and a giant statue of Pope Leo: photos of the day – Friday
   5. The Verge — Protesters break into Microsoft data center site in Amsterdam
   6. AP News — Protesters break into Microsoft data center site in Amsterdam as Europe’s backlash spreads
   7. Business Insider — Anti-AI Protesters Break Into Microsoft Data Center Site in Amsterdam
   8. abcnews.com — Protesters break into Microsoft data center in Amsterdam as ...
   9. article.wn.com — Datacentre protest and a giant statue of Pope Leo: photos of ...
   10. www.euronews.com — Video. Netherlands: Protesters storm Amsterdam data centre ...
   11. global.chinadaily.com.cn — Activists breach Microsoft data centre construction site as ...
   12. shattered.io — AI Data Center Protests: 1 Microsoft Site Breached [2026]
   confidence 88%