Riot police clash with demonstrators
2009-11-28 18:55
Geneva - Anti-capitalism demonstrators smashed windows of banks and watchmakers and set fire to cars in central Geneva on Saturday during a protest against the World Trade Organisation.
Several people dressed in black used mallets to break windows at Credit Suisse, a Starbucks cafe and other institutions during the protest, in which Swiss media said about 2 000 people took part.
Police in riot gear moved to head off the demonstrators, whose route had previously been agreed with city authorities.
A Reuters reporter at the scene said some demonstrators seemed to be smashing windows at every building they passed.
Protesters also set off fireworks in the Swiss city's main shopping street.
A large cloud of smoke hung over central Geneva and teargas was released, but it was not clear whether this was fired by police or demonstrators.
Demonstrators waving banners, joined by about a dozen tractors, had gathered earlier to protest against the WTO's three-day ministerial conference that starts on Monday.
Activists say trade policies adopted by WTO members create poverty in rich and poor countries by squeezing farmers in developing countries and depressing labour standards in industrialised nations.