Zurich police used water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets to disperse several hundred masked protesters who rioted in the city center on November 2, 2026. The demonstrations, inspired by similar events across Europe and fueled by social media calls, saw participants block streets with trash containers and set fires.
Emergency responders were targeted with fireworks, bottles, and stones. The violence resulted in property damage to shops and transit stops, marking a rare display of unrest in Switzerland. The riots occurred ahead of a planned anti-austerity general strike called by left-wing and student groups for November 20.