Anti-G7 protests in Geneva turned violent on Sunday as demonstrators clashed with riot police ahead of the summit.
Footage shows a burning car, protesters clashing with security forces, with police deploying water cannons and tear gas. Firefighters were seen dousing multiple fires started during the unrest. Protesters were seen throwing stones and other objects at riot police.
Around 20,000 demonstrators had gathered for a march through the city that started out peacefully. Participants carried banners and flags, while activists rallied in a park near Lake Geneva. Placards displayed messages including ‘No to the G7 and all imperialist alliances’, and ‘Trump and Netanyahu toxic alliance devastating!’
Several protesters criticised G7 governments and accused world leaders of profiting from global conflicts.
“We are resisting like the meeting of all the most criminal persons on earth. Like all the imperialistic guys, all the capitalist guys that meet to decide how they want to share the world,” said a protester.
“They just want to continue the war and it will never end. So the war is giving them a lot of money,” another protester said. “They are just taking the cake, taking the whole resources of the whole country. And if there is some people living there, they kill them.”
The protest took place in Geneva as France did not issue demonstration permits near the G7 venue.
The Swiss Armed Forces have deployed around 4,000 personnel, while France has mobilised 8,000 police officers on the ground according to media reports.
The G7 summit will take place in the French town Evian-les-Bains just across Lake Geneva from June 15 to 17.
Source: Viory
