Some 20,000 people gathered for a march that was initially peaceful, but protesters later targeted what they depicted as symbols ​of capitalism and multilateralism, including the parked Tesla and the UN office.

Demonstrators ​ripped bricks from the ground to throw at police, while children ⁠cried as teargas wafted over downtown Geneva’s sun-baked streets, Reuters witnesses said.

Protests have been ​common at G7 gatherings over the years, with many demonstrators using the summits to ​decry capitalism, globalisation, climate change and inequality.

Demonstrators said they came to protest against the G7 as a symbol of concentrated political and economic power. Last week, Tesla owner Elon Musk, who has ​worked as an adviser to US President Donald Trump, became the world’s first trillionaire.

“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,” said protester Pippa Saugy.

The June 15–17 G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, on the shore of Lake Geneva, will bring together the leaders of France, Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, alongside the European Union.

Wars ​in the Middle East and Ukraine ​are set to ⁠dominate the agenda, while leaders will seek to avoid a clash with Trump as he seeks to finalise a framework peace ​deal with Iran.

In Geneva, businesses were boarded up, and hundreds of ​riot police ⁠were deployed in the streets amid prior concerns about violence.

Mattia Piccard bristled at the strong police presence.

“This is an attempt to frighten demonstrators, to frighten people and discourage ⁠them ​from coming out to protest,” Piccard said.

Clélia Colin, another ​demonstrator, said she wanted to raise the issue of gender inequality.

“The values represented by the G7 are completely ​misogynistic, and they contribute to inequality,” said Colin.