More than 100 protesters linked to the activist group Geef Tegengas broke into a Microsoft data center construction site in Amsterdam.

Across the street, hundreds more peacefully protested the facility and company, as part of a wider anti-data center march planned across Europe this weekend.

The data center itself is a Pure Data Centres facility, with Microsoft set to be the sole tenant. Geef Tegengas broke into the site back in June, and briefly disrupted construction.

The same 78MW facility was targeted by Extinction Rebellion activists in July, who threw acid- and paint-filled balloons across its fence. Pure DC said at the time that it had no impact on construction.

"We understand that people feel strongly about the project, and we respect their right to express those views peacefully," a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement.

"However, we do not condone any actions that are unlawful or that put people's safety at risk."

Geef Tegengas, which claimed 500 individuals entered the site, is a Dutch climate and justice direct action collective. It has previously blocked railway tracks, focusing on ports it says help support Israel.

For the two Microsoft protests, the activists pointed to Microsoft's work with the US' ICE and Israel's IDF, broader AI surveillance issues, climate change, and water use. The data center has more broadly been accused of circumventing a nationwide ban on large hyperscale developments by splitting into three smaller facilities.

In reality, the project was approved before the 2022 national ban, and even before the temporary 2019 Amsterdam moratorium. Amsterdam's renewed restrictions in 2025 allowed certain older projects to continue, including this site. It is also below the floor-area threshold set by the national restriction.

Following the protests, one person was arrested, according to a statement from Amsterdam’s police force.