Ahead of the G7 Summit in Évian: Geneva Gears Up for Major Demonstration – Memories of 2003

The Geneva police this time called in reinforcements from across the country. More than 7,000 security personnel are deployed in Geneva to accompany protests against the G7 summit. More than 7,000 security personnel are to be on the streets. Police expect around 50,000 participants. Thousands of police officers have been checking cars and identities of passers-by throughout the city for two days.

Hundreds of luxury shops and banks, as well as hotels and supermarkets, have barricaded their facades and shop windows with plywood boards out of fear of riots. In memory of devastating damage during a 2003 demonstration, hundreds of Geneva business owners and hoteliers have locked their shop windows with plywood. The trade association (FER) protested outraged in a letter against Geneva having allowed the demonstration at all.

Memories of the Violence of 2003

This goes back to memories of the year 2003, when hooligans caused damage in the millions during a demonstration. At the time, the protest was also directed against a summit in Évian, at which Russia was still participating – i.e., a G-8 meeting. The protest degenerated into violence and looting of businesses.

The events of 2003 were a trauma for the Geneva police, said Monica Bonfanti. This time she is receiving reinforcements from all over Switzerland, including from the army. The Swiss have closed all but seven of the approximately 30 border crossings and have been conducting identity checks in the city since Friday.

Dispute over the Relocation of the Protests

According to the Geneva city government, France did not want to tolerate any protests. That is why they were registered in Geneva. France also did not respond to their requests for financial participation in the security costs. The Geneva government criticizes this because France did not want to tolerate any demonstration for the occasion.

The "No G7" coalition of around 60 groups intends, according to its manifesto, to demonstrate against, among other things, US military bases in Europe. In the Swiss border city of Geneva, a large protest march against capitalism, for more support for Palestinians, and many other causes has begun.

Demands of the Protest Movement

Among other things, the coalition is demanding higher minimum wages, free contraceptives, borderless freedom of movement for workers from all over the world, and the removal of the gender designation from all identification documents. It criticizes that "great powers make decisions in favor of the most privileged minority in the world and to the disadvantage of more than 90 percent of the population." This is an "illegitimate and outdated institution, a private club that no longer corresponds to today's world."

Geneva is the closest airport to Évian, and most delegations are expected to arrive there on Monday. According to the weather forecast, the sun is shining in Geneva, at 28 degrees. The city is located approximately 50 kilometers from Évian.