Riot police fired tear gas and water cannon at stone-throwing demonstrators in Geneva on Sunday as an estimated 20,000 people marched against the Group of Seven summit. The demonstrations aimed to highlight issues such as the environment, human rights, imperialism, fascism and capitalism, but the ensuing violence has blocked the center of Geneva and caused harm to locals.A car was set on fire, a bank’s windows were smashed and hundreds of masked youths in black hoodies, known as “Black Bloc” militants, mingled with peaceful marchers, Geneva police spokesman Alexandre Brahier told The Associated Press. He estimated the number of militants at about 600.The violence began in early March. Firefighters rushed to extinguish a burning Tesla car next to the central bus station. Nearby, demonstrators tore down a wooden fence protecting Lemon Bank and broke windows.
Image source: Reuters
Some protesters fired flares at police. Others tore chunks of asphalt from the road and threw them at police officers in riot gear. Clashes continued even after authorities ordered the crowds to disperse.Despite the violence, the vast majority of the 20,000 marchers were peaceful. The march was led by women’s rights advocates, many wearing purple T-shirts and holding signs denouncing “patriarchy” and demanding equal pay for equal work. Others carried banners supporting the Palestinians in Gaza or criticizing Trump, often using profane language.
Image source: Associated Press
Organizers spent weeks negotiating with local authorities before the march. They even printed a handbook for demonstrators that included a map of safe areas, clothing tips and advice on what to do if detained.The G7 summit opens on Monday in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains, across Lake Geneva from the Swiss city. French authorities deployed more than 13,000 police and gendarmes to provide security for the three-day conference. More than 800 French border control officials will be involved.In Geneva, businesses boarded up their windows, fearing a similar scale of disruption to a similar summit in 2003. Of the 35 road crossings between Switzerland and France, only seven remain open.
Image source: Associated Press
Francoise Nyffeler, a spokesperson for the NoG7 coalition that organized the demonstration, told The Associated Press that the group is concerned about Trump’s tariff policies, the war with Iran, the climate and even his past ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.A flotilla of about 20 boats appeared on Lake Geneva on Saturday, flying anti-G7 and pro-Palestinian banners. Swiss media reported that about 20 protesters were detained on Friday night.The G7 members include the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States. The leaders of India, Kenya and Ukraine are also expected to take part in discussions on Ukraine, Iran and wars in the Middle East, as well as global inequality and access to critical minerals. Trump’s announcement of a U.S.-Iran peace deal before leaving Washington could reshape the dynamics of the summit.
