01.11.2026 09:11
Protests in Europe have also spread to Switzerland. At unauthorized demonstrations held in the cities of Zurich and Basel, barricades were set on fire, and vehicles and businesses were damaged. Security forces responded with water cannons, tear gas, and plastic bullets to protesters who attacked police with stones, bottles, and fireworks.
Following the recent youth protests in Europe, demonstrations were also held in the Swiss cities of Zurich and Basel.
It was reported that calls had been made in advance for the unauthorized actions carried out on the evening of Saturday, October 31. It was stated that the protesters, referring to the protests in France, called for action in Switzerland as well.
While several hundred people took part in the action in Zurich, around 150 protesters took to the streets in Basel.
ZURICH STREETS WERE ENGULFED IN FLAMES
At around 22:30 in Zurich, protesters gathered at Piazza Cella Square in the Langstrasse area and after a while moved toward Helvetiaplatz. Some participants were seen covering their faces with masks, while others wore costumes for Halloween.
At around 23:00, the events escalated. Protesters dragged garbage containers onto the road, forming barricades and setting them on fire.
Electric bicycles and scooters were also burned at various points in the city. A car was set on fire on Zwinglistrasse, while the windows of some businesses and a public transport stop were broken.
THEY ATTACKED POLICE WITH STONES, BOTTLES AND FIREWORKS
According to a statement by the Zurich police, security forces were attacked repeatedly during the events. After protesters attacked with stones, glass bottles and fireworks, police teams intervened using water cannon, tear gas and plastic bullets.
Fire crews were also dispatched to the area to put out the fires that broke out in the streets. It was announced that a police vehicle heading to the area to respond to a medical incident during the events was also attacked and damaged.
BARRICADES WERE ALSO SET ON FIRE IN BASEL
Another city where demonstrations took place was Basel. The unauthorized march, in which around 150 people participated, began at around 21:00 at Claraplatz. The protesters advanced toward the city center over the Mittlere Brücke and reached the St. Johann area.
Here, barricades made of garbage containers and metal barriers were set on fire. Due to the events, public transport in the city was temporarily halted, and vehicle traffic was also adversely affected.
THE EVENTS SUBSIDED AFTER MIDNIGHT
The Zurich police announced that the events were brought under control at around 01:30 on Sunday, November 1. It was reported that the material damage caused during the demonstrations had not yet been determined and that an investigation into the events had been launched.
The spread of actions referring to the protests in France to Switzerland as well brought discussions about the spread of demonstrations in Europe back onto the agenda.