Hundreds protest Trump’s attendance at Davos forum: report

Protesters marched through the streets of Bern, Switzerland on Saturday in opposition to President Trump’s upcoming visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The group of about 500 anti-globalization demonstrators carried signs through the Swiss capital bearing phrases, like “Kill Trump” and “No future for capitalism,” according to Reuters. 

The people were ostensibly protesting not just Trump’s upcoming visit to Davos, but the World Economic Forum more generally. The annual summit has gained a reputation as a gathering for the wealthy global elite. 

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According to Reuters, as many as 5,000 Swiss soldiers are expected to guard Davos during the forum, and a no-fly zone will be put into effect over the town. 

At the same time, a petition telling Trump he is not welcome in Davos has been circulating. As of this writing on Saturday, that petition had gained nearly 13,300 signatures out of its goal of 15,000 signatures.

The Trump administration announced this week that Trump and a delegation of U.S. officials would attend the annual World Economic Forum in the Swiss resort town later this month.

The trip was largely unexpected, namely because Trump campaigned against the globalism often associated with the elite forum. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin rebuffed the notion this week that the gathering was for “elites.”

— This report was updated on Jan. 14 at 9:57 a.m.