Protesters clashed with police near the UN headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, ahead of the G7 summit in Evian, France. Demonstrators threw objects such as bottles, stones, and fireworks at law enforcement, who responded with tear gas. The protests involved around 20,000 participants, including approximately 600 'Black Bloc' protesters known for their masked appearance and collective action. Several buildings were targeted, resulting in damage to structures like those belonging to PricewaterhouseCoopers, the International Telecommunication Union, and banks.
Thousands of protesters were expected to rally in Geneva on Sunday under a heavy police presence ahead of the G7 summit in Evian in neighbouring France , amid fears of a repeat of the violence that marked a similar summit in 2003.
The "No-G7" coalition of more than 60 associations, unions and left-wing groups aims to denounce "fascism and imperialism". The demonstration takes place the day before Group of Seven leaders start their three-day annual gathering.
The G7 summit will be one of the first major international gatherings since the United States and Israel launched a war against Iran in late February, upending the Middle East and widening transatlantic tensions .
The G7 brings together the leaders of Britain, Canada , France, Germany , Italy , Japan and the United States, along with invited leaders from several other countries, including Brazil and India .
Read more Macron to meet Trump at the Palace of Versailles after G7 summit in France
French President Emmanuel Macron , who is hosting the event, is due to arrive in Evian on Sunday evening, followed by other leaders on Monday, including US President Donald Trump .
The group will have a packed agenda of potentially explosive issues, including efforts to end the war in Iran and re-open the key Strait of Hormuz shipping bottleneck, with Trump insisting that a deal could be signed on Sunday .
Geneva on edge
Most of the leaders will be arriving at Geneva Airport, before making the journey to Evian.
Geneva – about 40 kilometres southwest of the French spa town – is on edge.
The authorities are anxious to avoid any repeat of the mayhem of 2003, when anti-G7 rioters caused millions of dollars worth of damage in the Swiss city.
The violence, looting and clashes live long in the memory and small shops, supermarkets and university buildings, some of them far from the protest route, are taking no chances and have boarded up their facades.
G7 meeting begins in France this Monday
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Cover image: © France 24
01:27
Several other events in the city have been scrapped, and the main hospital has set up large tents in case there is an influx of casualties.
The Swiss authorities have permitted a march around a lengthy loop on the north side of the city – well away from the city centre and its luxury boutiques.
They are deploying a significant number of police and security forces.
Due to conditions imposed by the French authorities, the No-G7 coalition abandoned plans for a counter-summit and demonstration Sunday in the French border town of Annemasse.
"What we fundamentally regret is that France did not create the conditions conducive to a kind of summit, counter-summit, village, forum or discussion" on its side of the border," Geneva's Security Minister Carole-Anne Kast told reporters during the week.
Tight security
"We hope to have a wonderful weekend with some lovely moments," Alice Lefrançois, spokesperson for the coalition, told reporters.
"There will be security personnel, particularly to protect demonstrators from any form of external aggression, and there will also be a family area.
"We think it's going to be a rather pleasant experience," she added.
Workers have set up fences to close the border crossing between Switzerland and France in the lakeside village of Hermance © Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
Geneva is almost entirely surrounded by France: nowhere in the Geneva canton is more than 5.5 kilometres from the French border.
Bracing for the protest and the summit, Swiss authorities have closed 25 of the 35 road border crossings, causing traffic jams in both directions.
Nearly 16,000 French police, gendarmes, troops, firefighters and border guards will be deployed, using boats, motorcycles and drones, alongside mounted police and dog-handling units, France's Haute-Savoie regional prefecture said.
Switzerland has approved the deployment of 2,000-5,000 military personnel to "support" the cantonal police.
Around 4,000 Swiss troops will be on duty on land, on Lake Geneva and in the air, coordinating with the French military .
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Read the full article at France 24 (English) →The article reports on Donald Trump's arrival in Geneva, where he is set to attend the G7 summit.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a neutral summary of events without apparent framing or slant. It does not include commentary, opinion, or biased language.
Protesters clashed with police in Geneva during a demonstration against the upcoming G7 summit, with around 20,000 participants involved. The protest included environmentalists, feminists, Palestinian rights advocates, and anti-globalization activists. The event turned violent, with protesters throwing objects at officers who responded with tear gas and water cannons. Damage was reported, and authorities ordered the crowd to disperse.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a balanced account of the protest, describing both the actions of the demonstrators and the response by law enforcement without overtly favoring either side. It includes details about the participants, their motivations, and the consequences of the unrest, presenting the events'
Official sources cited
Protesters clashed with police near the UN headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, ahead of the G7 summit in Evian, France. Demonstrators threw objects such as bottles, stones, and fireworks at law enforcement, who responded with tear gas. The protests involved around 20,000 participants, including approximately 600 'Black Bloc' protesters known for their masked appearance and collective action. Several buildings were targeted, resulting in damage to structures like those belonging to PricewaterhouseCoopers, the International Telecommunication Union, and banks.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a factual account of events without overtly favoring either side. It describes the actions of both protesters and police impartially, citing direct observations by AFP journalists and police estimates. There is no evident editorializing or biased language that would indicate a倾向
Official sources cited
Thousands of protesters are expected in Geneva on Sunday ahead of the G7 summit in Evian, France. The 'No-G7' coalition, comprising associations, unions, and left-wing groups, plans to protest against 'fascism and imperialism'. Police will monitor the demonstrations closely, recalling the unrest during the 2003 G8 summit.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on an event without taking a stance or using biased language. It provides factual information about the planned protests and their objectives, without favoring any side.
The official sources this coverage is built on. Read them directly to bypass framing.
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