Protesters clash with police in Geneva ahead of G7 summit in France | World News

Police in Geneva have fired tear gas and water cannons at protesters who set fire to a Tesla vehicle and smashed windows at a UN agency in protests ahead of tomorrow’s G7 summit in neighbouring France.

Around 20,000 people gathered for a march that was initially peaceful, but protesters later targeted what they depicted as symbols of capitalism and multiculturalism, including the Tesla, the UN office and a bank.

Police say among the attendees were around 600 “Black Bloc” militants, while other demonstrators came from activist groups including environmentalists, women’s rights advocates, and pro-Palestinian supporters, with some marchers also carrying signs with slogans criticising US President Donald Trump.

Demonstrators were seen ripping bricks from the ground to throw at police, with some also firing flares.

Clashes continued even after dispersal notices were issued.

Ahead of the demonstrations, businesses had been boarded up, and hundreds of riot police were deployed amid prior concerns about violence.

“This is an attempt to frighten demonstrators, to frighten people and discourage them from coming out to protest,” demonstrator Mattia Piccard told Reuters.

Protests have been common at G7 gatherings over the years, many of which use the summits to voice their anger over capitalism, globalisation, climate change and inequality.

This year, the G7 meeting takes place in Evian-les-Bains, on the other side of Lake Geneva from the city.

Demonstrators told Reuters they came to protest against the group of leaders as a symbol of concentrated political and economic power.

It comes after Tesla owner Elon Musk, who worked as an adviser to Trump, became the world’s first trillionaire.

“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,” protester Pippa Saugy told Reuters.

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Activists also expressed concern with Mr Trump’s leadership on issues ranging from tariffs, climate, and the Iran war.

“We are very afraid of the policy and the politics of Mr Trump and also of the other leaders of the G7, because they are fighting, making war all over the place,” Francoise Nyffeler, spokesperson for the organisers of the demonstration, told the Associated Press.

“The planet is in danger, and we are very scared about it, and we want to protest and say that the people of the world are against their policies,” she added.

Protests had begun a day earlier when a flotilla of around 20 boats appeared on the lake off the shores of Evian the day before, displaying anti-G7 and pro-Palestinian banners.

Swiss media reported around 20 protesters were arrested on Friday.

The G7 summit runs from Monday to Wednesday in Evian-les-Bains, on the shores of Lake Geneva, where leaders of Canada, the EU, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US will meet, with leaders of other countries also invited to discuss.

The summit takes place as the US and Iran appear close to a deal to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz, which is expected to dominate the agenda along with the war in Ukraine.

Other issues expected to be discussed include economic issues like global inequality and access to critical minerals.