GENEVA: Clashes erupted between protesters and police in Geneva on Sunday, including near the United Nations headquarters, a day before the G7 summit begins in nearby Evian, France.

The demonstration initially started peacefully in the afternoon, with thousands of people marching through the city carrying banners reading “No to the G7 and all imperialist alliances!” and “Abort the G7”. Protesters voiced support for Palestinians, climate action, feminism and anti-capitalist causes.

However, tensions escalated shortly after the march began when groups of masked demonstrators dressed in black broke through security barriers and vandalised property along the route. Protesters threw bottles, stones, chunks of concrete and firecrackers at police officers, who responded with tear gas and water cannons.

Several buildings were targeted, including offices of the UN’s Inter­national Telecommunications Union and premises belonging to global consulting firm Pricew­ater­houseCoopers. Protesters were unable to approach the UN’s European headquarters, which was heavily protected by security forces and water cannon vehicles.

Tens of thousands of protesters voice support for climate action, anti-imperialist causes

Journalists inside the UN complex reported hearing explosions, police sirens and helicopters circling overhead throughout the unrest. Demonstrators later returned to a park on the shores of Lake Geneva, where further confrontations with police continued into the evening.

Tesla car torched

Vehicles were also damaged during the violence. AFP reporters witnessed a Tesla car being set on fire and spray-painted with the slogan “Eat the Rich”. Protesters chanted anti-police slogans, including “Down with the police state,” as clashes intensified.

By around 7pm, police estimated that around 20,000 people had joined the demonstration, including about 600 members of the so-called “Black Bloc”, a loosely organised group associated with militant protest tactics.

The unrest revived memories of the 2003 G7 summit in Evian, when anti-globalisation demonstrations led to widespread violence and millions of dollars in property damage. Determined to avoid a repeat, Geneva authorities deployed a substantial police presence and implemented extensive security measures across the city.

The protest was organised by the “No-G7” coalition, a group of more than 60 associations, unions and left-wing organisations that say they oppose what they describe as fascism and imperialism. The coalition had originally planned additional events, including a counter-summit in the French border town of Annemasse, but those plans were abandoned due to restrictions imposed by French authorities.

The G7 summit, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, begins on Monday and will bring together leaders from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, along with invited representatives from countries including Brazil and India. Most leaders are expected to arrive through Geneva Airport before travelling to Evian, located about 40km away.

The meeting comes amid heightened international tensions. It is one of the first major gatherings of world leaders since the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran intensified earlier this year, increasing instability in the Middle East and straining relations among Western allies. Discussions are expected to focus on efforts to end the conflict and restore security to the strategically important Strait of Hormuz shipping route.

In preparation for both the summit and the demonstrations, Geneva has been placed on high alert.

Geneva Security Minister Carole-Anne Kast also expressed regret that French authorities had not facilitated a broader counter-summit or public forum on the French side of the border.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2026