Violent protest in Geneva damages Tesla and UN office during G7 demonstrations

Protesters in Geneva set a Tesla vehicle on fire and damaged windows at a United Nations agency building during demonstrations against the upcoming G7 summit, police said Sunday. Authorities responded by deploying tear gas as about 20,000 people marched through the city.

The march, which started peacefully, turned violent as some demonstrators grabbed bricks and threw them at police. Witnesses told Reuters that protesters targeted symbols of capitalism and multilateralism, including the parked Tesla and the UN agency building. Police reported that the unrest led to the use of tear gas in the streets of Geneva.

This demonstration follows years of protests at G7 gatherings, with activists criticizing capitalism, globalization, climate change, and inequality. Protesters in Geneva said their march aimed to oppose what they see as concentrated political and economic power represented by the summit.

The G7 summit is scheduled to take place Monday through Wednesday in Évian-les-Bains, France, on the shores of Lake Geneva. Leaders from France, Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States, and the European Union will attend. Key issues on the agenda include conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, and efforts to avoid clashes involving U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently announced a tentative agreement related to Iran.

In preparation, businesses in Geneva have boarded up windows, and hundreds of riot police have been deployed amid concerns of further violence. Protesters also voiced other grievances, including issues of gender inequality, with one demonstrator telling Reuters that the G7’s values are misogynistic and contribute to inequality.

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