Thousands of protesters gathered on Sunday to express their dissatisfaction with the G7 nations, as the summit involving U.S. President Donald Trump and other leaders was set to commence in France the following day. The demonstrators, including environmentalists, feminists, anti-imperialists, media advocates, and supporters of Palestinian rights, assembled in a lakeside park in Geneva before marching through the town. Security measures were heightened by Swiss and French authorities in anticipation of the three-day summit in Évian-les-Bains, focusing on discussions about the Middle East, Ukraine, and global economic issues.
Road closures, restrictions on gatherings, and financial assistance for potentially affected businesses were implemented by authorities to prevent unrest, with many shops and establishments in Geneva securing their storefronts with wooden panels. Protesters had been gathering in Geneva prior to the main march, which attracted a significant number of activists opposed to the G7 summit. Anti-G7 and pro-Palestinian messages were displayed by a flotilla of boats on Lake Geneva, while some protesters were detained earlier in the weekend.
French authorities announced the deployment of over 13,000 police officers for security measures near the summit area, with heightened border control operations. Demonstrations against various issues, including Trump’s policies on tariffs, the Iran conflict, and environmental concerns, were expected during the summit. Françoise Nyffeler, spokesperson for the NoG7 coalition behind the demonstration, expressed concerns about global policies and emphasized the importance of protesting against perceived threats to the planet.