Around 20,000 protesters clashed with police in Geneva on Sunday, June 12, 2024 [1], ahead of the G7 summit in France [2].
The demonstrations highlight growing international tension over the G7's handling of global conflicts and economic inequality as leaders from seven member states gather [1].
Clashes erupted as protesters marched through the city, throwing stones and firecrackers at security forces [2]. Police responded by deploying tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds [2]. During the unrest, some demonstrators smashed windows and damaged buildings [3].
Reports indicate that protesters also set fire to a Tesla vehicle during the chaos [2]. The violence occurred near the French border, where the summit is being held [2].
Demonstrators said they were protesting G7 policies regarding the wars in Iran and Ukraine [1]. The group also cited concerns over climate change, foreign policy, and systemic economic inequality as primary drivers for the march [1].
Local authorities in Geneva worked to maintain a security perimeter to prevent the violence from spilling further toward the summit venue. The scale of the protest varied across reports, with some sources noting thousands of participants while others specified the count at 20,000 [1, 4].
“Around 20,000 protesters clashed with police in Geneva”
The escalation of violence in Geneva underscores the volatility surrounding the G7 summit, reflecting deep-seated public frustration with the perceived inaction or inadequacy of the world's leading economies in addressing geopolitical instability and the climate crisis.
