Anti-G7 Protest Turns Violent in Geneva Set Tesla Ablaze, UN Office Damaged

A major anti-G7 protest in Geneva turned violent on Sunday after demonstrators set a Tesla vehicle on fire, smashed windows at a United Nations office, and clashed with police ahead of the Group of Seven summit in neighboring France.

Thousands of protesters took to the streets to oppose the G7 summit scheduled to take place from June 15 to 17 in Évian-les-Bains, France. Organizers said around 20,000 people joined the demonstration, while Swiss police estimated attendance at approximately 7,000.

The march began peacefully but later descended into unrest as some protesters targeted what they described as symbols of concentrated political and economic power. A Tesla vehicle was set ablaze, while windows at a United Nations telecommunications office and several financial institutions were smashed. Protesters also vandalized property along the route and threw projectiles at security forces.

Swiss riot police responded with tear gas and water cannons after demonstrators ripped bricks from the pavement and hurled them at officers. Witnesses reported scenes of panic as tear gas spread through parts of downtown Geneva, affecting both protesters and bystanders.

The protest was organized by the “No-G7” coalition, a network of more than 60 groups including environmental activists, labor unions, feminist organizations, anti-capitalist movements, and pro-Palestinian campaigners. Demonstrators accused G7 nations of perpetuating global inequality, militarism, and economic exploitation.

Many protesters specifically targeted Tesla as a symbol of wealth concentration and corporate influence. The company’s owner, Elon Musk, recently became the world’s first trillionaire, reigniting debates over economic inequality and the growing influence of billionaires in politics and business.

Authorities had anticipated unrest ahead of the summit and deployed a heavy security presence throughout Geneva and along the French-Swiss border. Businesses in several districts boarded up their storefronts in advance, while multiple border crossings were temporarily closed to prevent protesters from reaching the summit venue.

The G7 summit will bring together leaders from the United States, France, Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the European Union to discuss key global issues, including conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, international security, economic inequality, and energy stability.

Despite the violence, Swiss authorities said the majority of demonstrators remained peaceful, and investigations are underway to identify those responsible for the acts of vandalism and arson.