Anti-G7 protest turns violent as demonstrators torch Tesla and smash UN office windows

Geneva saw unrest Sunday as thousands marched against the upcoming G7 summit in neighboring France. Around 20,000 people initially gathered peacefully, but the demonstration turned violent later in the day.

Protesters targeted symbols they associated with capitalism and multilateralism, setting a Tesla on fire and smashing windows at a United Nations agency. Witnesses said demonstrators threw bricks at police, who responded with tear gas.

Among the marchers was Pippa Saugy, who told Reuters the summit represents “a meeting of the rich that shows once again how the rich can become even richer while the poor are left behind.” Another protester, Mattia Piccard, said the police response was meant to “frighten demonstrators” and discourage participation. Clélia Colin criticized the G7’s stance on gender, stating the organization’s “values are completely misogynistic, and they contribute to inequality.”

The G7 leaders—from France, Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the U.S., plus the European Union—are meeting Monday through Wednesday in Évian-les-Bains on Lake Geneva. Topics expected to dominate include conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, alongside diplomatic efforts regarding Iran.

Swiss authorities pre-emptively boarded up businesses and deployed hundreds of riot police amid fears of violence.