Protesters in Geneva set fire to a Tesla vehicle and shattered windows of a bank Sunday, channelling their anger toward an upcoming Group of Seven summit scheduled to take place just across the border in France.
Police fired teargas at protesters who set fire to the Tesla vehicle and smashed windows at a United Nations agency. Some 20,000 people gathered for the march, which was initially peaceful before the protesters targeted what they depicted as symbols of capitalism and multilateralism.
Demonstrators ripped bricks from the ground to throw at police and children cried as teargas wafted over downtown Geneva’s sun-baked streets, Reuters witnesses said.
Protests have been common at G7 gatherings over the years, with many demonstrators using the summits to decry capitalism, globalisation, climate change and inequality.
Concerns over escalating inequality were reignited last week when Tesla owner Elon Musk, an ally of US President Donald 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,” remarked protestor Pippa Saugy.
The G7 summit, running from 15-17 June in Evian-les-Bains on the shores of Lake Geneva, will convene leaders from France, Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States, alongside representatives from the European Union.
Discussions are expected to be dominated by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, with leaders also aiming to avoid friction with Trump as he seeks to finalise a framework peace deal with Iran.
In Geneva, businesses had boarded up their premises, and hundreds of riot police were deployed across the city, following prior concerns about potential violence.
Protests have historically been a common feature of G7 gatherings, with many using the summits to voice opposition to capitalism, globalisation, climate change, and inequality.
Mattia Piccard expressed frustration at the heavy police presence.
“This is an attempt to frighten demonstrators, to frighten people and discourage them from coming out to protest,” Piccard said.
Another demonstrator, Clélia Colin, highlighted the issue of gender inequality.
“The values represented by the G7 are completely misogynistic, and they contribute to inequality because there is absolutely no equality,” Colin said.
