Hundreds of protesters demonstrate against data centers, riot police intervene forcefully

On Friday morning, a group of approximately 200 protesters gathered in Amsterdam to demonstrate against the construction of three large data center towers in the Sloterdijk area. The activists, many wearing masks, marched from a local community kitchen towards the construction site with the intent of occupying the grounds to oppose the 85-meter-high structures. They aimed to demonstrate how the land could be used differently for the benefit of the city. Upon their arrival, police and riot control units were already present to intercept the group. Officers successfully surrounded the protesters and blocked their access to the building site. Tensions escalated as activists attempted to break through the police cordon, leading to physical confrontations. During these attempts, riot police utilized their batons to restrain the crowd, while demonstrators chanted that they were not participating in a riot. The situation remained volatile throughout the morning as authorities worked to maintain control and prevent the activists from entering the site.