Geneva, Jan 13 (AFP) Several hundred anti-capitalistdemonstrators marched in Switzerland's capital Bern today toprotest against US President Donald Trump's planned visit tothe World Economic Forum in Davos.
With placards reading "Eat the rich" and "Fight WEF,Trump, capitalism", the protesters also targeted the annualmeeting of the world's political and business elite at aluxury Swiss ski resort.
Davos often draws small protests against its famousparticipants and global trade agenda, but with the surpriseannouncement this week that Trump will attend this year'sJanuary 22-26 meeting, Swiss authorities warned "a highpotential for violence must be assumed" at demonstrationsacross the country.
However today's unauthorised protest, organised by agroup called RJG, remained calm and without incident, Swissnews agency ATS reported.
On its website, RJG said that "despite a strong policepresence and significant provocations from civilian police,the protest was organised successfully".
"The World Economic Forum claims to be a platform forconstructive solutions to global problems," the group said,"however it remains a meeting for the establishment to discussa neoliberal agenda".
A petition headlined "Trump not welcome - stay out ofDavos" started by another group, Campax, had gathered morethan 12,880 signatures by today.
Another protest against Trump's arrival at Davos, thetiming of which remains unclear, is planned for the evening ofJanuary 23 in Zurich. (AFP)MRJ.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.