A guide gives tips to the demonstrators in Geneva. picture: assembly watson
The Antirep group has published a guide for participants in the anti-G7 demonstration on June 14 in Geneva. It contains tips and recommendations for dealing with police checks, arrests or DNA samples.
June 5, 2026, 9:35 p.mJune 5, 2026, 9:35 p.m
The G7 summit is approaching – and it’s not just the police who are preparing for it. Preparations are also underway on the part of the demonstrators. A guide with tips and warnings for participants in the anti-G7 demo is currently circulating. The 14-page document was written by the Geneva section of Antirepa left-wing alternative group dedicated to fighting police repression.
The guide, which is written in gender-appropriate language, comprises six chapters and is aimed particularly at activists from France who want to travel to Geneva for the NoG7 demonstration on June 14th.
The guide is intended both as a reminder of the rights of demonstrators and as a practical guide for dealing with customs authorities, the police and the judiciary.
In addition to legal information, it contains numerous tips on behavior and recommendations in the event of controls or police measures.
The border control
For foreign nationals, including citizens of the European Union, it starts at the border. The first controls in connection with the G7 summit could take place there.
Below you will find translations of excerpts from the guide. Here from the first chapter with the title “Before and during the demo”:
«The customs authorities have (…) the right to question you if they believe that you pose a threat to security, that you are about to commit or have just committed a crime. Within this framework, they are authorized to carry out a physical search of you. If this happens to you, you have the right to have the search carried out by a person of the same gender as you (the police view gender in binary categories).”
«The options available to the customs authorities are extremely limited. They have the right to turn you back at the border or even hand you over to Geneva law enforcement if they consider that you have broken or were about to break the law.”
“Come to Switzerland as quickly as possible”
Antirep’s guide warns in particular of the risk of administrative detention under immigration law. This particularly affects people who are wanted in the Schengen area, an association to which Switzerland is also a member.
The guide therefore advises future demonstration participants to “enter Switzerland as early as possible before the planned rallies”. In this way, you can avoid increased border controls and “use the absence of customs authorities to cross the border”.
Antirep recommends the following procedure:
“If a customs inspection occurs, the best option is to explain that you are traveling to Switzerland for reasons other than the G7 summit (to visit friends or family, to see an exhibition, etc.).”
“Don’t keep anything incriminating with you.”
In the Subchapter “How do I prepare for the demonstration itself?” The guide lists a total of 17 recommendations. These include, among others, the following points:
- “Don’t keep anything incriminating in your home – such as clothing you have worn in previous actions, smoke flares or spray cans.”
- “Don’t wear petroleum jelly, greasy creams or make-up. They can hold chemical substances such as tear gas on the skin.”
- “Don’t wear contact lenses. They can pose an additional risk when in contact with chemical irritants.”
The guide also recommends preparing as follows:
- “Write Antirep’s phone number, which will be distributed before the demonstration, on your arm or leg.”
- “Also write down the name of a lawyer from the Antirep list, which will also be distributed before the demonstration.”
- “Take something to completely cover your face, cover your hair, and conceal noticeable features such as piercings, tattoos, or, if possible, your stature. Gloves are also recommended. The harder it is for the police to identify you based on your appearance, the better.”
The Antirep guide also points out that demonstrators are allowed to film police operations – “as long as you do not hinder the work of the police and do not aim the camera specifically at individual people”.
The organization presents this as a way to document police actions, but at the same time points out the limits of such an approach.
In the event of a police check
If a so-called cauldron occurs after a police dispersal order, the police can check the identity of those people who leave the cordoned off area. The Antirep guide points out that in such situations the emergency services often record the demonstrators’ personal details before allowing them to pass.
Tip from the guide:
«It is possible to exert collective pressure by all of you collectively refusing to reveal your identity (especially in solidarity with those who take risks by providing their personal details) in the hope that the police will break up the cauldron. However, don’t put yourself in unnecessary danger. If you feel the need to leave the place when faced with certain stresses – whatever they may be – it is very important to listen to yourself and remove yourself from a situation in which you feel trapped.”
The second chapter entitled “Arrest and Detention” explains which instructions those affected must follow and what consequences may arise if they refuse to comply with them. Among other things, the question of identity verification is addressed. The guide explains what information the police can request and what legal consequences a refusal to provide personal information can have.
“At no point are you completely naked.”
The third chapter, “Arrival at the police station”is aimed at people who have been arrested for an alleged crime or in the act. This includes, among other things, what happens after an arrest, such as identification processing or a search. In the event of a strip search, the guidelines state:
«At no time are you completely naked. If your private parts are searched, it must be carried out by a person of the same gender or by a medical professional. There are no special regulations for non-binary or trans people.”
Antirep’s guide warns:
«Attention: Even if the police tell you otherwise, you are never obliged to submit to having your photo or fingerprints taken. We advise you to firmly refuse this.”
“Defending yourself is dangerous”
Antirep recommends that arrested demonstrators refuse the “voluntary, non-invasive collection of a DNA sample” – for example using a buccal swab. However, the guidelines point out that the public prosecutor can also order DNA to be taken, for example using a blood sample. In such a case, according to the authors, the person concerned must endure the measure.
«Attention: Only a medical professional is authorized to do this. If you choose to physically resist this measure, the police have the authority to use force to detain you.”
The guide warns: “Attempting to physically resist police force, particularly in a prison environment, is dangerous. (…) You can still later take legal action to defend yourself against the removal of your DNA and request that the DNA profile created as evidence be deleted.”
“If you talk, you’re doing the police’s job for them.”
The fourth chapter “Interrogation” generally recommends that the demonstrator remain silent. “80 percent of convictions are made on the basis of confessions. If you don’t talk, you have a chance of getting away with it. If you talk, you are doing the police’s job on their behalf.”
Antirep also advises:
“If you are housed in a cell in a group, do not talk about the demonstration – even if it is tempting. Breathe, don’t panic and think about things that are good for you.”
The fifth chapter “Remand in custody after questioning” advises the demonstrators to “continue to say: ‘I refuse to testify'” during the second questioning – this time by the public prosecutor’s office. If pre-trial detention is ordered, the accused person will be assigned a lawyer. Recommendation:
“Just as with the police, we strongly advise you to suggest the name of a lawyer from the Antirep list for your defense.”
At the end of the document, Antirep provides a list of ten lawyers – including nine women.
The Sixth chapter “After discharge” lists behavior that should be observed after release – for example in the event of injuries:
“If you are injured by the police, it is strongly recommended that you get a medical certificate as soon as possible so that you have evidence if you later wish to initiate proceedings. (…) Do not go into the details of the circumstances under which the incident occurred. If possible, avoid mentioning the names of people, places, or exact times related to your injury. In particular, any information that could confirm your participation in a demonstration that is under police investigation should be concealed under all circumstances.
For “further information,” the Antirep guide refers to the NoG7 coalition blog.