2.000 attend Zurich anti-Trump protest ahead of WEF

On Monday, January 19, around 2.000 people took to the streets of Zurich to protest US President Donald Trump’s attendance of the World Economic Forum (WEF) taking place in Davos, Switzerland.

Zurich anti-Trump protest turns violent

Yesterday evening, more than 2.000 demonstrators made their way through the centre of Zurich to protest Trump’s WEF attendance, reports Watson. The protest had the slogan “Trump not welcome!” and petitioned that “under his leadership, US foreign policy is reverting to gun-boat diplomacy,” according to Nau.

The protest was arranged by the “Movement for Socialism” (Bewegung für den Sozialismus) and ran from Zurich’s city hall to Helvetiaplatz. According to Swiss police, the demonstration turned violent, with smoke bombs, fireworks, firecrackers and graffiti used on shops and cafes and against police in the Swiss city. 

Some shop windows on Bahnhofstrasse and Uraniastrasse were allegedly smashed and the fire brigade was called after bins were set on fire. Police used tear gas, a water cannon and rubber bullets after a blockade formed on Kasernenstrasse and tram tracks were obstructed at Stauffacher.

WEF talks could focus on Greenland

The WEF is taking place in Davos this week, running from January 19 to 23. It is attended by around 3.000 global leaders, economists and journalists. Attendees meet to discuss issues facing the world economy.

This year, the theme of the Forum is “A Spirit of Dialogue”. With President Trump in attendance, the discussion is expected to focus on potential US tariffs on European countries that took part in a NATO exercise in Greenland. The US president has expressed his desire to buy Greenland for national security reasons, a security justification which has been challenged internally and by global leaders.