arch/ive/ief (2000 - 2005)

A demonstration of 100-200 people started an apparently spontaneous
demonstration in Geneva at about 11:00 pm on Saturday, May 31.

Heard secondhand: At Rue Basse, Place Neuve, there were 300 people dressed
in black who were setting fire to barricades and were breaking windows.

At 11:12 there were no police yet. There was a fire at Place Neuve, a
fire at the Opera House and the front door of the Grand Theatre. About
150 people heading toward Planpalais and Cirque, speaking mostly french
and German.

around 11:15, people were attacking the financial building in Geneva.
About 50 to 60 police were there. There was a massive gassing and massive
cop presence. Place de l'air, the financial hotel, a tax building was
attacked. Police came from the Place des Volontaires. Police facing
Usine. There was some window smashing at rue du Stand. People were
heading toward Artemis.

11:37 demo at right side of the lake, and the police station. 4 police at
Bel-Air. On Pont Sous-Terre there are about 15 police. There are a lot
of police on motor-bikes. Some cars have been smashed and burned. The
destruction appears to be mostly of symbolic targets. The Tribune du
Geneve has been smashed and set on fire. Police came next to Place Neuve.

11:43 Usine. Police all around.

11:44 pm, police on Pont Sous-Terre. Police with a water cannon at Quai
du Seujet. The demonstration went to Rue du Stand and headed toward
Jonction and Artemis and Usine. Much of the Old Town has been set on
fire. An HM has been smashed. A bus stop has been smashed. A Migros has
been smashed.

11:47 someone called from the river to say that there were a lot of
police. 11:51 someone called from Place des Volontaires in front of th
Usine, saying 300-400 civilians were there and some riot police. Police
were also in front of the entrance to the Forde space at the Usine. The
demo appears to be dispersed somewhat.

11:50 Radio Geneva, more than 20 cops came from other border of the river,
cops on one side of Usine toward River and civilians on square outside
Usine. Civilians and cops are staring at each other. There appears to
be some provocation. The people are sitting down in front of the cops.
The civilians appear to be attempting to deescalate the situation.

There is a van going in front of the Usine with perhaps an injured person
outside.

midnight, Sunday, June 1. La police est devant l'entree de l'usine.

Then the police and the water cannons appear to be leaving the Usine.

12:20 At Usine, the police have left and there are 200-300 people sitting,
drinking, socializing quietly.