Key facts
- Riot police used tear gas and water cannons against protesters in Geneva during a demonstration against the G7 summit.
- An estimated 20,000 people participated in the protest, including around 600 from the 'Black Bloc'.
Clashes erupted in Geneva between protesters and riot police during a demonstration against the upcoming G7 summit in France. Police used tear gas and water cannons as some demonstrators set a car on fire, smashed bank windows, and threw objects at officers.
The protests highlight significant global dissent and opposition to the policies and agendas of G7 leaders, particularly concerning issues like climate change, international conflicts, and economic inequality, underscoring the challenges of maintaining security and public order during high-profile international summits.
Riot police deployed tear gas and water cannons in Geneva on Sunday during clashes with protesters demonstrating against the Group of Seven summit taking place in nearby France. The violent confrontations occurred throughout the evening, following earlier incidents including a car fire and smashed bank windows along the route of an afternoon march that drew an estimated 20,000 people.
According to Geneva police spokesperson Alexandre Brahier, approximately 600 militants from the 'Black Bloc' were among the crowd. The demonstration, organized by a coalition of activist groups, also included environmentalists, women's rights advocates, and supporters of the Palestinian cause, with messages against imperialism, fascism, and capitalism.
Earlier in the march, firefighters extinguished a Tesla that had been set ablaze near a central bus stop, while riot police cordoned off the area. Some protesters launched flares at officers and threw pieces of asphalt. The clashes persisted even after police ordered the demonstrators to disperse.
Organizers had provided a manual for participants, detailing safety perimeters and advice for potential police detentions. The protest also featured banners criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump on issues such as tariffs, the war in Iran, climate policy, and his past associations. Françoise Nyffeler, spokesperson for the NoG7 coalition, expressed fear regarding the policies of Trump and other G7 leaders, stating, "The planet is in danger and we are very scared about it."
Swiss and French authorities have deployed thousands of police for the three-day summit, which begins Monday in Evian-les-Bains, France. Leaders are expected to discuss the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as global economic issues. Geneva authorities had preemptively blocked roads, banned unauthorized gatherings, and provided financial support for affected businesses. Many shops in central Geneva boarded up their windows as a precaution, recalling damage from a similar summit in 2003. Only seven of 35 road border crossings remain open.