Violent protests erupt in Geneva on eve of G7 summit

On Sunday, June 14, violent protests erupted in Geneva near the United Nations headquarters, one day before the start of the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France. A crowd of approximately 20,000 demonstrators clashed with police, throwing bottles, stones, and firecrackers at officers. Law enforcement responded with tear gas and water cannons.

Protesters attempted to break into the UN telecommunications building, tore down wooden shields from shop windows, smashed windows, and set cars on fire. The demonstration was held in Geneva because French authorities refused to permit protests near the summit site in Évian.

The three-day G7 summit will bring together leaders of the seven largest developed nations, including U.S. President Donald Trump. The main agenda items are the war in the Middle East and Russia's war against Ukraine. Several thousand police officers have been deployed in Geneva to maintain order.