Over 60,000 people faced tear-gas and an overnight kettle in protests against meeting of the world’s richest states

~ Gabriel Fonten ~

Tens of thousands of protesters joined mass demonstrations in Geneva against the G7 Summit on Sunday, 14 June. The main demonstration avoided marching on the actual location of the summit, across the border in Evian, France. Instead it marched through central Geneva towards the UN building. Around 13,000 Swiss police used tear gas, water canons, and kettling to contain the march. Protesters responded by erecting barricades and throwing projectiles at the police, while a significant “black bloc” struck out at the symbols of capitalism such as bank branches, supermarkets, and a Tesla which was burnt en-route.

Copious tear gas was used, including against children and the elderly, leading to several injuries. More than 200 people, including children and non-protesting tourists, were caught in a mass kettle and held through the night by police without access to toilets, water, food, or blankets. They were released only after being subjected to identity checks, searches, photos, and in some cases detention.

The yearly meeting of the leaders of the world’s seven richest states has drawn mass protests over the years. Seventy local organisations and more than a dozen international ones participated this year as part of the “NoG7” coalition. A flotilla of 25 in the middle of Lake Geneva was also part of the protests.

Across the border in Evian, the French state deployed a massive force of around 16,000 police officers, including 500 on motorcycles, as well as 1,000 military personnel. The resort town was divided by an extensive security grid into “blue” and “red” zones requiring QR code entry. Directly inspired by its lockdown of Paris in preparation for the games, France also refused to designate a zone for any “counter-summit”.

The total cost of police operations is “not assessed,” but on the Swiss side alone it has been reported to be tens of millions of by the Swiss security department. Smaller protests have continued during the G7 talks, with Oxfam highlighting the responsibility of the world leaders present for the continued suffering of people in Gaza through lack of potable water.

Image: Radio Onda d’Urto. Video: Contre-Attaque