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GENEVA: Clashes erupted between protesters and police in Geneva on Sunday, including near the United Nations headquarters, a day before the G7 summit begins in nearby Evian, France.
The demonstration initially started peacefully in the afternoon, with thousands of people marching through the city carrying banners reading “No to the G7 and all imperialist alliances!” and “Abort the G7”. Protesters voiced support for Palestinians, climate action, feminism and anti-capitalist causes.
However, tensions escalated shortly after the march began when groups of masked demonstrators dressed in black broke through security barriers and vandalised property along the route. Protesters threw bottles, stones, chunks of concrete and firecrackers at police officers, who responded with tear gas and water cannons.
Several buildings were targeted, including offices of the UN’s International Telecommunications Union and premises belonging to global consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers. Protesters were unable to approach the UN’s European headquarters, which was heavily protected by security forces and water cannon vehicles.
