G7 summit clashes erupt in Geneva: Swiss police use tear gas against anti-G7 protesters

Swiss police fired tear gas ‌on protesters on sunday who opposed to a G7 summit across the border in France after some protesters started targeting buildings linked to the United Nations in Genevatargeted United Nations buildings in Geneva.

Police used tear gas in response to projectiles being thrown at them by demonstrators. Firefighters attended the scene of a burning car just minutes away from the march route as riot police cordoned off a secure zone for them to work.

Some demonstrators threw stones at a UN ‌telecommunication building and also threw flares as police tried to move them away from the UN site.

Environmentalists and feminists joined foes of imperialism, defenders of independent media, supporters of Palestinian rights and others in a lakeside park in Geneva for a march across the Swiss city. A boat whose sail read “No G7” floated by, as sunbathers and swimmers basked under blue skies.

Reports indicate that around 20,000 people joined the Geneva march, although earlier security planning had prepared for crowds potentially reaching 50,000.

Elsewhere on the march route, the wooden barriers at a Banque du Leman were ripped down and the windows smashed.

 By the end of the afternoon, Alexandre Brahier, a spokesman for the Geneva Police, said "protesters were ordered to disperse after several incidents. He said 20,000 people took part, including 600 so-called “Black Block” militants."

Among the crowd was a group of youths wearing black hoodies and masks who gathered behind an anti-Trump banner. Signs reading “Antisemitic never; anti-Zionist always” could also be seen.

Interestingly, organizers of the protest printed a handbook for demonstrators that included a map of the security perimeter, tips on how to gear up for the march, and advice on how to behave if detained by police.

Many businesses had boarded up storefronts in advance because of fears of vandalism and a repeat of disturbances seen during earlier summit-related protests in the region.

Demonstrators said they came to protest against the G7 as a symbol ‌of concentrated political and economic power. Last week Tesla owner Elon Musk, who has worked as an advisor to US President Donald Trump, became the world’s first trillionaire, reigniting concerns about inequality.

“To me, it’s a meeting of the rich that shows once ‌again how the rich can become even richer while the poor are left behind,” said one of a protester.

The June 15–17 G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, on the shore of Lake ‌Geneva, will bring together the leaders of France, Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, alongside the European Union.