Thousands gather in Geneva to protest G7 as Trump, other leaders hold summit in nearby France

Thousands of demonstrators converged sun to demonstrate their discontent against the G7 aggroup of countries, with U.S. Chairman Donald ruff and counterparts set to hold a summit starting a day later in nearby France.

Environmentalists and feminists joined foes of imperialism, defenders of independent media, supporters of Palestinian rights and others in a lakeside park in Geneva for a march across town. A boat whose sail read "No G7" floated by, as sunbathers and swimmers basked under blue skies.

Swiss and French authorities have deployed thousands of police to provide security for the three-day summit starting Monday in the French resort town of Évian-les-Bains. The leaders are set to discuss issues including the Middle East, Ukraine and global economic imbalances.

Authorities have blocked off roads, banned unauthorized gatherings and pledged financial support for businesses who could be hit by unrest. Scores of businesses and shops have boarded up their storefronts with wooden panels as a precaution — leery of upheaval that left a trail of damage in Geneva during a similar summit in Évian in 2003. Only seven of the 35 roadway border crossings will remain open.

Demonstrators have been gathering for days in advance of Sunday’s march in Geneva, the largest city in the area and designated gathering spot for activists who oppose the G7.

A flotilla of around 20 boats appeared on Lake Geneva off the coast of Évian on Saturday, displaying anti-G7 and pro-Palestinian banners. Some 20 protesters were detained on Friday evening, according to Swiss media reports.

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Earlier, between 100 and 150 people had gathered in Geneva for a protest bicycle ride, slowing down traffic, public broadcaster RTS reported.

Local resident Robin Hedz lamented the "mess" and expressed bafflement about the "wood-wall everywhere," while acknowledging the memories of the trail of damaged property at the summit over 20 years ago.

France will deploy more than 13,000 police and gendarmerie officers to ensure security in the summit area just across the border. Over 800 French border control officers will be active, up from about 60 normally.

French gendarmes buzzed around in motorboats off the coast of Évian on Saturday, and one officer hoisted up a bulky drone-interception device in a display of the security measures being rolled out for the summit.

Protests are nothing new around such elite gatherings. This time, activists want to demonstrate frustration with Trump’s leadership on issues as diverse as tariffs, the war in Iran and the climate, or even highlight his past ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

"We are very afraid of the policy and the politics of Mr. Trump and also of the other leaders of the G7, because they are fighting, making war all over the place," said Françoise Nyffeler, spokesperson for the NoG7 coalition, which has organized the demonstration and march on Sunday.

"The planet is in danger and we are very scared about it and we want to protest and say that the people of the world are against their policies."

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