World

Davos Protest Turns Violent

by Jordan Yerman | February 1, 2009 at 08:38 am

242 views | 48 Recommendations | 5 comments

The tension over Davos came to a boil yesterday as a demonstration turned violent, with protestors clashing with police in the streets of Geneva.

Protestors were barred from actually demonstrating at the ski resort itself, and even Geneva was declared off-limits for marches. Of course, I'm not sure what made the Swiss government believe that people would actually stay home, considering the history of Davos protests. There's a lesson to be learned here.

It is reported that a crowd threw bottles at police when they were blocked from entering the city centre.

A police spokesman estimated that there were 350 to 400 people in the crowd. He said there have been 16 arrests, though dozens more protesters were briefly detained.

The rally, which was not authorised by city authorities, was organised by a coalition of leftists from trade unions along with anarchists known as the Black Bloc.

Sixty people were arrested after hundreds of protestors converged on the centre of Geneva to protest against the World Economic Forum in Davos in defiance of a ban imposed by local authorities, a police spokesman said.

Organisers had appealed for calm, while attacking the ban on the march.

But bottles and firecrackers were thrown at the riot police who charged the demonstrators, using teargas grenades.

1 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Barry ORegan

at 08:50 on February 1st, 2009

I hope to God those Leftys recycled all those broken bottles they are throwing, cause we all know they are the biggest advocates of environmentalism.

lefty_liberated

at 12:04 on February 1st, 2009

Thanks for the continued coverage!

yanseiler

at 12:04 on February 1st, 2009

it seems that about 130 people have been arrested...

Cmicblog

at 15:35 on February 2nd, 2009

Hi, apparently, only 4 people were arrested, but many more were controlled, "preventively", said the police.

tikun

at 14:07 on February 2nd, 2009

Ahh Anarchy. I was once young and wanted to destroy anything and anyone in my path. I think it was the lack of nurture in my young life. Apparently this emotional need continues to plague our youth today. Hmm.