Protesters in Geneva clash with police ahead of the G7 summit in nearby France

By — Jamey Keaten, Associated Press Jamey Keaten, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/protestors-in-geneva-clash-with-police-ahead-of-the-g7-summit-in-nearby-france Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Protesters in Geneva clash with police ahead of the G7 summit in nearby France World Jun 14, 2026 12:49 PM EDT GENEVA (AP) — Riot police fired tear gas and water cannons in clashes with stone-throwing youths during a protest on Sunday in Geneva against the G7 group of wealthy nations, a day before its leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump hold a summit in nearby France. A violent standoff extended into the evening after a series of incidents — including a car set ablaze and a bank's windows smashed — along the route of an afternoon march that drew an estimated 20,000 people, including some 600 so-called "Black Bloc" militants, according to figures from Geneva police spokesman Alexandre Brahier. The demonstration, which had been previously organized by a hodgepodge of activist groups after weeks of negotiations with local authorities, was otherwise peaceful — with environmentalists, women's rights advocates, supporters of Palestinians and foes of imperialism, fascism and capitalism. READ MORE: Ahead of G7, Canada's Carney softens tone toward Trump with trade talks at stake Early on during the march, firefighters extinguished a Tesla that was set ablaze next to the central bus stop and a phalanx of riot police cordoned off a secure area as a crowd congregated nearby. A handful of demonstrators ripped down wooden barriers that were previously erected to protect a Banque du Leman and smashed its windows. Several groups of dozens of youths wearing black hoodies, masks and goggles were mixed in among the other marchers — including behind an anti-Trump banner. Two with their faces totally covered refused to speak with The Associated Press and silently waved off questions before the protest began. Some protesters fired flares toward officers or tore up chunks of asphalt and chucked them toward police in shields and riot gear. The clashes continued even after police ordered the demonstrators to disperse. The vast majority of marchers at the front were advocates of women's rights, many wearing purple T-shirts and holding up banners and posters that decried the "patriarchy," a lack of women in executive positions and inequality in pay and executive jobs in the workplace. Other marchers held signs that showed sympathy for Palestinians in Gaza, carried slogans like "Antisemitic never; anti-Zionist always" and criticized Trump — often with expletives — among other sharply worded messages. Organizers of the protest printed a handbook for demonstrators that included a map of the security perimeter, tips on how to gear up for the march, and advice on how to behave if detained by police. Travel restrictions and limited border crossings during the summit Swiss an