Rowdy protesters throwing a tantrum torched the US flag and vandalized American businesses in Zurich ahead of President Trump’s visit to Davos for the World Economic Forum over the president’s push to acquire Greenland.
Hundreds of angry left-wing activists took over the streets in Switzerland’s largest city Monday night to protest against the think tank, whose four-day annual meeting kicks off Tuesday amid rising tensions between the US and its European allies.
Demonstrators held a large banner that read “Trump not welcome” and “NO WEF! No Oligarchy! No Imperialist Wars!” and burned flares as they marched in the city center, video of the demonstration shows.
Masked activists were also filmed setting a large, upside-down US flag ablaze in the middle of a road.
Others waved Greenlandic or Palestinian flags as they chanted through the streets, including slogans directed against the Israeli government, according to local reports.
More footage showed demonstrators vandalizing American businesses, including the luxury car brand, Cadillac, and destroying property.
“F–k Trump” graffiti was scrawled on the wall of one building and “F–k capitalism” was etched on another, video shows.
“Greenland is not for sale,” a cardboard sign held by a demonstrator read.
Police then attempted to break up the line of protesters with a water cannon when temperatures were below freezing during a tense standoff, video showed.
Dozens of protesters were injured during the clash with cops, who also used tear gas and rubber bullets, according to Swiss outlet 20 Minuten.
At least three police officers were also injured as they confronted the mob. Two were hit by stones and a third was hit with a firework, according to a Zurich police spokesperson.
The protests erupted after Trump repeatedly expressed his intention to have the US take control of Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory.
Trump has not ruled out US military intervention and has warned the US may pull out of NATO if it’s barred from taking over the Arctic island.
Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and Israel’s war in Gaza are also expected to dominate conversations among world leaders and businesspeople, as is the US’s capture of its president Venzuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro.
President Trump announced Saturday he will slap 10% tariffs on eight European nations unless Denmark agrees to the “complete and total purchase of Greenland,” which will jump to 25% on June 1 if no deal is reached.
In response, European Union officials announced they will not be approving the 15% tariff deal Trump struck last summer, saying it cannot be allowed to go through, given the current tension with the US.
Trump is scheduled to leave for Davos on Tuesday evening. He will address European leaders directly during a keynote speech on Wednesday.
The White House said the president’s speech will “emphasise that the United States and Europe must leave behind economic stagnation and the policies that caused it.”
