The protest against the G7 summit in Geneva began peacefully but escalated when some demonstrators resorted to violence. A Tesla vehicle was set on fire, windows of a United Nations-affiliated office were broken, and police used tear gas.
The march, attended by around 20,000 people, was organized in opposition to the G7 meeting scheduled just beyond the French border. Protesters targeted vehicles and institutions they viewed as symbols of capitalism and multilateralism.
Witnesses reported that some protesters threw stones picked up from the ground at the police. In response, tear gas was deployed in the city streets and security measures were increased.
Security Measures Heightened in the City Ahead of G7 Meeting
The G7 summit is planned to take place from Monday to Wednesday in Évian-les-Bains on the shores of Lake Geneva. Leaders from France, Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States, along with the European Union, will attend.
The agenda is expected to focus on developments in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine. It is anticipated that leaders will try to avoid direct tensions, especially as U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a temporary agreement aimed at ending the conflict with Iran.
Some workplaces in Geneva were closed as a precaution against possible incidents, and hundreds of riot police were deployed on the streets. Authorities expressed concern over the potential for renewed violence during the protests.
Protesters’ Message: Wealth, Inequality, and Gender Discrimination
One protester said the march targeted the G7 as a symbol of concentrated political and economic power. Another argued that the rich are getting richer while the poor are left behind.
Another demonstrator expressed a desire to highlight gender inequality during the march. One protester described the values represented by the G7 as "completely misogynistic," stating that this approach exacerbates inequality.
G7 meetings have long been the scene of protests against capitalism, globalization, climate change, and inequality. The recent march in Geneva was recorded as another moment when these debates were brought back to the streets.
