Violent riots overshadow peaceful G7 protests in Geneva
Hundreds of masked protesters clashed with police in the Swiss city of Geneva, ahead of a G7 summit in neighboring France. Police responded with water cannons and tear gas.
Escalation in Geneva
On the eve of the G7 summit in Evian, France, hundreds of masked individuals joined a largely peaceful demonstration in nearby Geneva, setting fires and smashing windows. Police deployed water cannons and tear gas against the demonstrators.
Initially peaceful protests
Sunday's violent riots disrupted protests led by the No G7 protest alliance, a coalition of 60 organizations. Tens of thousands of people had gathered with colorful signs and music on the shores of Lake Geneva to demonstrate for women's rights, better working conditions and environmental protection. The coalition described the G7 as an "illegitimate and outdated institution."
No protests in France
According to police, nearly 600 violent demonstrators dressed in black and wearing masks joined the protest along the route, sparking chaos. The summit of the seven major industrialized nations is taking place in Evian, 45 kilometers (about 30 miles) away, but according to the Geneva city government France was unwilling to allow protests near the summit zone.
Fires and smashed windows
The masked protesters set a car and a dumpster on fire, ripped paving stones from the ground, smashed windows and tore plywood panels from storefront windows. US President Donald Trump and the other six heads of state and government are set to meet for the first time on Monday evening.
Large police presence
The police responded with a massive deployment of nearly 7,000 officers and dispersed the demonstrators using tear gas and water cannons. In the days leading up to the event, thousands of police officers had been checking cars and pedestrians.
Not the first time
Protests at G7 summits are common, with activists largely demonstrating peacefully while using the global spotlight to highlight issues — this time including criticism of Trump's policies and the war in Iran.
Echoes of 2003
A 2003 summit of the G8 — which then included Russia — hosted by Evian was also rocked by serious riots and looting. Many residents still vividly remember those events.
Tight security measures
Security measures in Geneva remain strict: Many of the delegations from Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, Canada and the United States are arriving via Geneva's airport.