Swiss streets boiled on Monday night as protesters greeted President Donald Trump ahead of his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos. Crowds marched through Zurich carrying signs that read βTrump not welcomeβ and βNO WEF! NO OLIGARCHY! NO IMPERIALIST WARS!β as tensions rose.
At the front of the march, masked demonstrators burned a U.S. flag and set small fires near storefronts. Police watched as some marchers turned on American brands, scrawled anti Trump graffiti, and staged a sit in by the main train station.
Authorities moved in when the demonstration grew rowdier. Officers were struck by fireworks and stones, several were hurt, and public transport in the city center stopped while police tried to restore order.
Local media reported police used water cannon, tear gas, and rubber bullets after the situation escalated after 9 p.m. Swiss outlets said some demonstrators were injured but gave no firm total.
Thousands demonstrated in Zurich against US President Donald Trump and the World Economic Forum as meetings got underway in Davos. Local police said some damage was caused to property and water cannon and tear gas were used to disperse the protesters https://t.co/vB6AvQJCCN pic.twitter.com/b5LyqwGky5
β Reuters (@Reuters) January 20, 2026
The protests had one clear target. Many in the crowd said they opposed the World Economic Forum and the style of American leadership they see arriving in Davos.
Mr Trump landed this week with a string of messages and images that further inflamed opinion in Europe. He posted images showing Greenland with an American flag and said the island was vital for security, adding, βAs I expressed to everyone, very plainly, Greenland is imperative for National and World Security. There can be no going back β On that, everyone agrees!β
Those posts included what Mr Trump said were private messages from other leaders. One screenshot showed French President Emmanuel Macron writing, βMy friend, We are totally in line on Syria. We can do great things on Iran. I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland.β
Another shared message appeared to come from Mark Rutte, and it praised recent actions and offered help with Greenland. The note read in part, βMr President, dear Donald – what you accomplished in Syria today is incredible. I will use my media engagements in Davos to highlight your work there, in Gaza, and in Ukraine. I am committed to finding a way forward on Greenland. Can’t wait to see you.β
European leaders pushed back. At Davos, French officials warned against any move that would undermine national sovereignty, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europeβs response to threats over Greenland would be βunflinching.β
The mood in Davos is now tense and a bit unpredictable. Organizers and delegates said they had planned a routine economic meeting but now face urgent talks on security, diplomacy, and how to calm public anger played out on the streets of Swiss cities.
Back in Zurich, activists said their message was simple. They want the forum to change or to end and they do not want leaders who treat global problems like a social media stunt.
Featured image via X screengrab
