A Tesla was set ablaze in downtown Geneva on Sunday as thousands of protesters gathered ahead of the Group of Seven (G7) summit, with clashes erupting between demonstrators and police after what began as a largely peaceful march.

Thick black smoke rose above the city as protesters hurled bricks and debris at riot police as scenes turned chaotic in the late afternoon. Windows at buildings linked to international organizations like the United Nations (U.N.) and businesses were smashed, underscoring tensions in a city bracing for world leaders to meet just across the French border.

Authorities said around 20,000 people took part in the demonstration, though the march initially unfolded without major incident before smaller groups splintered off and engaged in vandalism and confrontations with police. Protesters tore stones from the ground and threw them at officers, while tear gas from police drifted across central Geneva as families and bystanders moved to leave the area.

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Peaceful March Turns Violent

The protest was organized as part of a broader mobilization ahead of the G7 summit, which will take place from June 15 to 17 in Evian-les-Bains, France, on the shores of Lake Geneva. Demonstrators framed the gathering as opposition to what they see as a concentration of economic and political power among wealthy nations. Organizers of the protest had printed a handbook for demonstrators that included a map of the security perimeter, tips on how to gear up for the march, and advice on how to behave if detained by police.

Earlier in the day, the march passed through Geneva’s streets with chanting crowds, banners, and a visible police presence. Businesses along key routes had boarded up windows in anticipation of unrest after authorities warned violence was possible.

The tone shifted later when a smaller group of demonstrators began targeting symbols of capitalism and global governance. A parked Tesla was set on fire next to the central bus stop, requiring firefighters to extinguish it, while a handful of demonstrators ripped down wooden barriers and windows at a Banque du Leman and other buildings were smashed.

Authorities have not yet released a full accounting of arrests or injuries linked to Sunday’s unrest.

Anger Over Inequality

Many protesters said their anger was rooted in frustration with inequality, globalization, and the influence of wealthy elites on global decision-making.

“To me, it’s a meeting of the rich that shows once again how the rich can become even richer while the poor are left behind,” one protester, Pippa Saugy, said, per Reuters.

The demonstration came just days after Tesla CEO Elon Musk—who has also worked as an adviser to President Donald Trump—became the world’s first trillionaire, with SpaceX’s long-awaited stock market debut, at $150 per share. It's a milestone that has intensified debate over wealth concentration and corporate power.

While the protest covered a wide range of grievances, the burning of a Tesla drew attention as a symbolic act, linking anger at the global economic system with one of its most visible figures associated with extreme wealth and influence.

Other demonstrators cited concerns including climate change, gender inequality, and the broader direction of global economic policy. The diversity of issues reflected the wide coalition of groups that traditionally mobilize around G7 summits.

Heavy Security Ahead of Summit

Sunday’s protest unfolded amid significant security preparations across the region as authorities anticipated further demonstrations linked to the summit.

Across the border in France, the country announced the deployment of more than 13,000 police and gendarmerie officers to ensure security in the summit area. Over 800 French border control officers will be active, up from about 60 normally.

Leaders from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, and Japan, along with representatives from the European Union (EU), are expected to attend. The summit agenda includes ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as broader economic and political challenges facing the global order.

Familiar Pattern of G7 Protests

Large-scale demonstrations have long accompanied G7 summits, often drawing activists opposing globalization, economic inequality, and the influence of major powers on global governance.

Protests at previous summits have at times escalated into clashes with police or property damage, though organizers typically emphasize peaceful demonstrations. Officials in Geneva echoed that pattern, noting that most of Sunday’s participants did not engage in violence.

The distinction between peaceful protest and smaller groups that turn to confrontation has been a recurring challenge for authorities attempting to balance the right to demonstrate with public safety concerns.

What Happens Next

The G7 summit is expected to proceed as planned, with world leaders set to arrive under tight security.