The Swiss police are on high alert ahead of the large demonstration scheduled for today (6/14) in Geneva, on the occasion of the G7 summit to be held in Evian.
According to official estimates, up to 50,000 people are expected to take to the streets in response to the call by the “No G7”. The protesters are targeting capitalism, social inequalities, and the economic policies of powerful nations.
The demonstration will take place in Geneva, as French authorities did not grant permission for similar gatherings near the venue where the G7 summit will take place in Evian. However, Swiss officials have expressed their dissatisfaction with Paris’s decision.
For those who are unaware, this city is located approximately 50 kilometers from Evian and is expected to serve as a key transit point for the delegations of the leaders participating in the summit. Geneva Airport will be used for the arrivals of heads of state and delegations, as it is the closest airport to the venue where the proceedings will take place.
In recent days, downtown Geneva has resembled a fortress. Banks, luxury goods stores, hotels, and even supermarkets have covered their windows and entrances with wooden barriers, fearing incidents and vandalism.
Authorities are not hiding their concern, as memories of the serious incidents of 2003 remain fresh; at that time, on the sidelines of a similar summit in Evian, groups of protesters engaged in vandalism, looting, and widespread destruction in Geneva, causing millions of euros in damage.
