Security officials in Geneva outlined their plans on Thursday in preparation for around 50,000 people expected for the protest on Sunday in Geneva. The plans include the closure and control of 27 border crossings between France and Switzerland from Friday evening, officials said.

Local Businesses Prepare

Scores of shops across Geneva have been boarded up over fears of damage during the planned anti-G7 protest. Damien Gall, owner of carpentry company Espace, said it has installed more than 2,000 square meters of wooden panels for businesses to protect their premises.

Taxi driver Lamine Lasbet said the preparations for the protest were having a “catastrophic impact” on business. “We’ll stay at home, I won’t lie. So it’s three or four days without working,” Lasbet said.

Economic Fallout

Some Geneva residents raised concern about the fallout from the summit. “Geneva isn’t in France, so the problem is spilling over into another country,” said Eric Affolter, a souvenir store owner, recalling how properties were damaged in 2013 when a G8 summit was held in Evian as protesters clashed with police on Geneva’s left bank.

Carole-Anne Kast, a senior local authority official, said the canton of Geneva would likely have to spend about 20 million Swiss francs ($25.01 million) on security costs. She said authorities have tried to mitigate the risks of violence and property damage.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.