Protesters gathered in Geneva on June 14, 2026, ahead of the G7 summit starting June 15 in Evian-les-Bains, France [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12]. The demonstration was organized by the "No-G7" coalition, comprising over 60 associations, unions, and left-wing groups denouncing fascism, imperialism, and global inequality [2, 4, 8, 9, 10]. Police cited in Chinese-language sources estimated about 20,000 protesters, while Western media put the number at around 7,000 [3, 4, 6, 12]. Protesters described the G7 as a club of the rich that amplifies inequality, with activist Pippa Saugy saying, "To me, it's a meeting of the rich that shows once again how the rich can become even richer while the poor are left behind" [3].
Demonstrators targeted symbols of capitalism and global power, setting fire to a Tesla car and smashing windows of a bank and United Nations buildings [1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 12]. Violent clashes broke out with protesters throwing stones, firecrackers, bottles, bricks, and other projectiles [1, 4, 6, 11, 12]. Police responded with tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd [1, 4, 6, 11, 12]. Protester Mattia Piccard said, "This is an attempt to frighten demonstrators, to frighten people and discourage them from coming out to protest" [11]. Clélia Colin called the G7 "completely misogynistic," accusing it of contributing to inequality with "absolutely no equality" [11].
Authorities deployed thousands of police and soldiers in Geneva and nearby France for security ahead of the summit [2, 4, 5, 7, 10]. French security personnel numbered about 16,000, including police, gendarmes, soldiers, firefighters, and border security forces [2, 4, 5]. Swiss soldiers numbered 4,000 to 5,000 to assist police [2, 4, 7]. Due to concerns over violence, many Geneva businesses boarded up windows, and Switzerland closed 25 of 35 border crossings with France starting June 11 [2, 4, 5, 7, 10]. Swiss authorities began increasing security in Geneva and closing border crossings on June 11 to prepare for the protests and summit [2, 4, 5, 7].
The 2026 G7 summit took place from June 15-17 in Evian-les-Bains, France. Leaders included the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan, and the EU [1, 3, 5, 10, 11, 12]. US President Donald Trump arrived June 15 in Geneva before traveling to Evian, where he held a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron [5]. The summit agenda covered the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Middle East stability primarily regarding Iran, economic balance, AI, and climate change issues [5, 10, 11]. French President Macron noted, "G7将在16日就伊朗问题举行会议，以努力确保美国和伊朗谅解备忘录的落实" (The G7 will meet on June 16 regarding Iran to ensure implementation of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding) [5]. Trump said, "美国‘不需要太多帮助’来保持霍尔木兹海峡开放" (The US does not need much help keeping the Strait of Hormuz open), with the strait being "partially open" and will fully open after signing the Iran memorandum on June 19 [5].
