Thousands of anti-G7 protesters are expected to rally in Geneva, with the 'No-G7' coalition of more than 60 associations, unions, and left-wing groups aiming to denounce 'fascism and imperialism' as the G7 Summit begins in Evian, France. The protests come as nearly 16,000 French police and military personnel are deployed to maintain order.
The 'No-G7' coalition has planned a march in Geneva, while the authorities have deployed security personnel and taken measures to prevent violence. Switzerland has approved the deployment of 2,000-5,000 military personnel to 'support' the cantonal police, with around 4,000 Swiss troops on duty on land, on Lake Geneva, and in the air.
The main grievances of the protesters include opposition to the policies of the G7 countries, with the 'No-G7' coalition seeking to denounce 'fascism and imperialism'. The expected impact of the protests on the local community is significant, with residents and businesses bracing for potential disruptions to traffic and daily life.
The authorities are anxious to avoid any repeat of the mayhem of 2003, when anti-G7 rioters caused millions of dollars' worth of damage in the Swiss city. As the protests begin, the authorities will be closely watching to prevent violence and maintain order, with the situation on the ground expected to be tense.
The protests are expected to affect thousands of people, including protesters, residents, and business owners in Geneva and Evian, with potential disruptions to traffic and daily life. The world will be watching as the G7 summit gets underway, and the next step will be to see how the protests unfold and how the authorities respond.