A US flag was burned and American companies targeted for vandalism at an anti-World Economic Forum protest in Zurich ahead of Donald Trump‘s visit to Davos.
On Monday evening, a permitted demonstration against the forum turned violent as protesters smashed shop windows of US companies and spray painted several buildings.
Companies affected included luxury car brand Cadillac as well as international corporation Nestlé.
A casino was also spray painted with the words ‘Money Stinks,’ according to Swiss newspaper 20minuten.
Video footage from the evening shows demonstrators building barricades and causing destruction, with bins set on fire and chairs scattered through the area.
Masked protesters were also filmed setting fire to a large US flag in the middle of the street.
During the march, which began at town square Bürkliplatz, people carried anti-Trump signs with the slogans ‘Trump not welcome, ‘Trump for prison,’ and ‘Trump is a criminal’ amongst others.
‘One Solution – Revolution!’ was chanted as people set off firecrackers, smoke grenades and fireworks.
Masked protesters were filmed setting fire to a large US flag in the middle of the street
‘One Solution – Revolution!’ was chanted as people set off firecrackers, smoke grenades and fireworks
People carried anti-Trump signs with the slogans ‘Trump not welcome, ‘Trump for prison,’ and ‘Trump is a criminal’ amongst others
According to 20minuten, slogans against the Israeli government were also heard.
As the demonstration turned aggressive, the police got involved and told marchers to clear the area after protesters sat down on the street creating a blockade.
When a second request, as well as dialogue with the demonstrators, was unsuccessful, officers deployed water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets.
Medics revealed several people were injured. Two police officers were also reportedly hit by stones.
The chaos comes as corporate chiefs and government leaders are gathering for the conference in Davos which will see US President Donald Trump dominate proceedings with talks on Greenland and the Russia-Ukraine war.
The US leader has been insistent on seizing Greenland and has not ruled out taking it by force.
Trump has also warned the US may pull out of NATO if America’s allies don’t agree to the acquisition of Greenland.
The chaos comes as corporate chiefs and government leaders are gathering for the conference in Davos
As the demonstration turned aggressive, the police got involved and told marchers to clear the area
Officers deployed water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets
The protest in Zurich on Monday night
Trump’s latest threat to take Greenland by any means necessary came as the European Union threatened brutal retaliatory tariffs over the president’s promise to punish nations that don’t support US control of the arctic nation.
On Saturday, Trump announced a 10% tariff starting on Feb 1, rising to 25% in June, unless there’s a deal for the ‘purchase of Greenland.’
The EU is now set to potentially threaten the US with retaliatory tariffs on $107.7billion in goods, or potentially denying America access to the EU market, The Financial Times reported.
Trump will make his keynote speech in Davos on Wednesday, where he is set to address European leaders directly.
A White House official said the US President will ’emphasise that the United States and Europe must leave behind economic stagnation and the policies that caused it.’
Trump’s peace-making credentials also will be on the table. An announcement looms about his ‘ Board of Peace ‘ for Gaza, and he and his administration are expected to have bilateral meetings in the warren of side rooms at the Congress Center.
Trump will make his keynote speech in Davos on Wednesday
Washington will attend with its largest-ever delegation in Davos
Vladimir Putin has received an invitation to join the board, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán alongside Jordan, Greece, Cyprus, Pakistan, Canada, Turkey, Egypt, Paraguay, Argentina, Albania and India were all apparently invited to join too, with Trump saying it would ’embark on a bold new approach to resolving global conflict.’
European Commission spokesman Olof Gill confirmed that Ursula von der Leyen, president of the commission, had received an invitation and would be speaking to other EU leaders about Gaza.
Washington’s largest-ever delegation in Davos includes US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law.
Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy will appear at the conference in person, hoping to meet Trump and sign new security guarantees for a potential ceasefire deal with Russia.
The US delegation will also hold meetings with Russia’s special envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who is travelling to Davos, according to Reuters.
