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.
The demonstration was largely peaceful despite the isolated acts of violence. Up to 7,000 people participated in the march, police said, and several knives and pyrotechnic devices were confiscated.
Demonstrators stated their opposition to the G7, viewing it as a symbol of concentrated political and economic power. 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.