Geneva Readies Security Measures Ahead of G7 Summit and Planned Protest

Geneva businesses closed and boarded their windows on Sunday while authorities raised anti-protester wire fencing and stationed police vans with officers in riot gear at street corners. A No-G7 coalition of more than 60 associations, unions and left-wing groups plans a demonstration expected to draw 50,000 people the same day.

French and Swiss authorities shut 27 border crossings on Sunday to keep protesters away from Evian, France, the lakeside town where the leaders will stay.

Military helicopters flew over Lake Geneva and police boats patrolled the water near the Jet d’Eau fountain. President Trump is scheduled to host UFC fighters on the White House lawn Sunday night before arriving at Geneva’s airport on Monday. He and other leaders will travel from the airport to the summit site in Evian.

The three-day G7 summit begins Monday. It is the first such meeting since President Trump launched the Iran war. The group includes the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States.

French President Emmanuel Macron also invited leaders from India and several Middle East nations. A flotilla of about 20 boats displayed anti-G7 and pro-Palestinian banners off the shore of Evian on Saturday. Signs reading “The only good system is a sound system” appeared on walls around Geneva.

Francoise Nyffeler, spokesperson for the NoG7 coalition, said: “We are very afraid of the policy and the politics of Mr. ” French and Swiss military personnel have been deployed to support local police. Organizers obtained permits for Sunday’s protest.

The coalition has cited concerns that the event could echo the 2003 G8 summit in the region, when violent protesters smashed windows and caused thousands of dollars in damage.