Thousands of protesters were expected to rally in Geneva yesterday under a heavy police presence ahead of the G7 summit in Evian, 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 G7 summit, which begins today and runs through Wednesday, together the leaders of the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the US, along with invited leaders from several other countries, including Brazil and India.
Photo: AFP
French President Emmanuel Macron, who is hosting the event, was due to arrive in Evian yesterday evening, followed by other leaders today, including US President Donald Trump.
The group would have a packed agenda of potentially explosive issues, including efforts to end the war in Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Most of the leaders would be arriving at Geneva Airport, before making the journey to Evian.
Geneva is on edge. Its authorities were 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 shops, supermarkets, theaters and university buildings, some of them far from the protest route, took no chances and boarded up their facades.
Several other events in the city were scrapped, and the main hospital set up tents in case there was an influx of casualties.
Swiss authorities permitted a march around a lengthy loop on the north side of the city. They also deployed a significant number of police and security equipment.
Due to conditions imposed by the French authorities, the No-G7 coalition abandoned its plans for a counter-summit and demonstration.
“We hope to have a wonderful weekend with some lovely moments,” coalition spokesperson Alice Lefrancois said. “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.
Bracing for the protest and the summit, Swiss authorities have closed 25 of the 35 road crossings on Thursday, causing traffic jams in both directions.
Nearly 16,000 French police, gendarmes, troops, firefighters and border guards are to 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 to 5,000 military personnel to “support” the cantonal police.
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