Violent protests broke out in several Swiss cities as American flags were burned and riot police clashed with demonstrators ahead of President Trump’s arrival in Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum.
Trump arrives Wednesday and is expected to address the annual meeting of global political and business leaders.
His visit comes amid heightened tensions with European leaders after Trump redoubled his push to acquire Greenland on US national security grounds and refused to rule out military options.
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Swiss riots break out in several cities as anti-Trump demonstrators march against President Trump’s appearance at the World Economic Forum, with police deploying water cannons. (Michael Buholzer/Keystone via AP)
The Davos Forum, held in eastern Switzerland, is one of the world’s most high-profile economic summits, bringing together heads of state, CEOs, bankers and policymakers to discuss global trade, security and geopolitics.
About 300 protesters marched through Davos on January 19 to oppose both the forum and Trump’s planned appearance.
Chanting slogans and holding banners reading “Trump not welcome,” demonstrators accused Swiss authorities of legitimizing what they described as authoritarian and plutocratic policies by hosting the US president.
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The protests turned violent as demonstrators burned American flags and clashed with riot police ahead of President Trump’s arrival in Switzerland. (Michael Buholzer/Keystone via AP)
Footage from the protests showed masked demonstrators burning American flags, while local media reported broken windows and other property damage.
Swiss exhaust Swiss info According to reports, clashes broke out after police took action to disperse the crowd.
Officers in full riot gear deployed water cannons, chemical irritants and rubber bullets and said they were being targeted with fireworks.
The outlet also reported a police statement saying that “paint bags were thrown at facades and shop windows were smashed at the corner of Bahnhofstrasse and Uraniastrasse,” with the extent of property damage unknown.
Two police officers were also reportedly hit by stones but were unhurt.
Similar demonstrations were held elsewhere, including in Bern, where a protest was broken up when police closed off the city center.
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About 300 demonstrators clashed with riot police, who used water cannons and rubber bullets. (Michael Buholzer/Keystone via AP)
Thousands of people marched in Zurich on Sunday evening, with one sign reading: “Put the Trumpster in the dumpster.”
Activists from the Swiss NGO Campax also projected a cartoon image of Trump on a ski slope near Davos, calling him the “Ghost of the Plutocracy.”
Trade tensions are expected to dominate discussions at the summit, alongside talks about the war in Ukraine and broader global security issues.
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Trump discussed the Greenland issue in a social media post early Tuesday.
“As I have said very clearly to everyone, Greenland is critical to national and global security,” Trump wrote. ‘There is no way back. Everyone agrees on that. The United States of America is by far the most powerful country in the world.’
