Geneva is on high alert as thousands of anti-G7 demonstrators gather today ahead of the annual leaders' summit in neighboring Evian, France. The No-G7 coalition, comprising over 60 organizations, aims to protest imperialism just one day before heads of state convene.
Swiss authorities have implemented strict security measures to prevent a recurrence of the destructive 2003 riots. Businesses across the city have boarded up facades, and local hospitals have established emergency triage tents. Police have restricted the march route to the city's north side, deliberately keeping protesters away from luxury retail districts and the urban center.
Cross-border logistics face significant disruption. Switzerland has closed 25 of 35 road crossings into France, causing major traffic delays. This impacts the region's unique economic integration, where approximately 115,000 cross-border workers commute daily between the two nations.
Security operations are unprecedented in scale. France is deploying nearly 16,000 personnel, including drones and military units, while Switzerland has mobilized up to 5,000 troops to support cantonal police. This summit marks a critical diplomatic moment following recent Middle East conflicts involving the United States and Israel, adding urgency to discussions among G7 leaders arriving via Geneva Airport.