Politics · Switzerland · 2 days ago
Bern prepares for unapproved protest after last year’s clashes
Left-wing groups have called for a protest in Bern on Sunday, one year after a pro-Palestinian demonstration there ended in serious clashes.
The new protest has not been approved, and the city says it does not know exactly what to expect.
Police say they are prepared and will try to prevent violence while allowing peaceful demonstrations.
Last year, demonstrators set fire to tables and chairs outside a restaurant, and police stopped and checked 536 people.
Authorities have identified 101 people in connection with offences and filed charges against 75, but no verdicts have been issued.
Amnesty International criticized the police response last year, saying officers used unjustified and disproportionate force.
Switzerland’s parliament has since approved longer provisional detentions and a measure that could make protest organizers pay for property damage; police are still investigating last year’s events.
Left-wing radical groups have called for an unauthorized protest in Bern on Sunday, marking the anniversary of violent unrest in 2025.
Bern’s police say they are prepared and will try to prevent the protest from escalating.
The planned demonstration has raised concerns among city businesses, including a restaurant damaged during the earlier unrest.
The 2025 events led to arrests, criminal investigations and debate over tougher laws and protections for businesses.
Amnesty International criticized the police response to the 2025 protest as unjustified and disproportionate.
- Who
- Left-wing radical groups have called for the protest. Bern police, city officials and businesses are preparing for it.
- What
- An unauthorized protest is planned under the motto “Smash Imperialism.” It is intended to mark the anniversary of the 2025 unrest.
- When
- Sunday afternoon; the article was published on October 9, 2026.
- Where
- At various locations in Bern, Switzerland.
- Why
- The call coincides with the anniversary of the violent pro-Palestinian demonstration in Bern in 2025.
SP politician Oriana Pardini
Mitte politician Milena Daphinoff
Tougher laws
SP politician Oriana Pardini
Pardini says new laws do not automatically create more security and warns against treating all demonstrators with suspicion.
Mitte politician Milena Daphinoff
Daphinoff says businesses and restaurants are still not adequately protected from damage during demonstrations.
Damage compensation
SP politician Oriana Pardini
Pardini criticizes the legal changes adopted after the unrest.
Mitte politician Milena Daphinoff
Daphinoff says businesses are still left to bear potential damage costs; a proposed hardship fund was rejected by the Bern cantonal parliament.
The demonstration is not authorized and we do not know exactly what to expect.
Bern is the country’s political centre and peaceful demonstrations should be possible.
Not all demonstrators should be placed under general suspicion.
Businesses or restaurants in Bern still have to bear any potential damage from demonstrations.
A pro-Palestinian demonstration in Bern escalated into violent unrest, including damage outside Restaurant Della Casa.
Police detained and checked 536 people and later identified 101 suspected offenders using video footage.
Charges were filed against 75 people, and no verdicts had been issued by the time of the article.
The National Council and Council of States approved allowing preliminary detentions of up to 48 hours, instead of 24.
Left-wing radical groups plan an unauthorized demonstration at various locations in Bern.
- Police detentions
- 536 people were detained and checked after the 2025 demonstration.
- Identified suspected offenders
- 101
- People charged
- 75
- Maximum preliminary detention
- 48 hours, up from 24 hours
- Planned protest motto
- Smash Imperialism
Sources
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