Bern’s cantonal police sealed off the Federal Square and surrounding streets on the afternoon of 17 January after left-wing and pro-Palestinian groups staged an unauthorised demonstration under the banner “Together Against the Murderers’ Meeting”—a reference to next week’s World Economic Forum in Davos. Roughly 500 protesters gathered near the main station; officers in riot gear confiscated face-coverings, shields and fireworks and warned that any march would be dispersed.
While the gathering remained mostly peaceful, sporadic scuffles forced authorities to divert tram lines 6, 7 and 9 and to erect temporary barriers around Bundesgasse. Rail passengers arriving from Zurich and Basel were funnelled through a single station exit, adding 15 minutes to foot-traffic flows. Several diplomatic missions alerted staff to avoid the Old Town area.
![Heavy Police Presence in Bern as Hundreds Rally Against WEF, Causing Central-City Shutdowns]()
For international visitors who still plan to be in Bern, Zurich or Davos during the summit period, VisaHQ can streamline the process of obtaining the appropriate Swiss visa and provide up-to-date entry guidance amid rapidly changing security measures. Travellers and corporate mobility teams can submit and track applications online through https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/, helping them adjust itineraries quickly if protests or police cordons disrupt schedules.
For mobility planners, the incident is an early signal that WEF-related activism will not be limited to Davos and Graubünden. Employers should brief travellers on the possibility of pop-up protests in major Swiss cities through 24 January and verify hotel cancellation policies in Bern, Zurich and Geneva. Companies running shuttle buses to Davos may also face route diversions if demonstrations spread.
Police say they will maintain an elevated presence in Bern through the WEF period and have coordinated with federal authorities to allow rapid deployment to other cantons if needed.
While the gathering remained mostly peaceful, sporadic scuffles forced authorities to divert tram lines 6, 7 and 9 and to erect temporary barriers around Bundesgasse. Rail passengers arriving from Zurich and Basel were funnelled through a single station exit, adding 15 minutes to foot-traffic flows. Several diplomatic missions alerted staff to avoid the Old Town area.
For international visitors who still plan to be in Bern, Zurich or Davos during the summit period, VisaHQ can streamline the process of obtaining the appropriate Swiss visa and provide up-to-date entry guidance amid rapidly changing security measures. Travellers and corporate mobility teams can submit and track applications online through https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/, helping them adjust itineraries quickly if protests or police cordons disrupt schedules.
For mobility planners, the incident is an early signal that WEF-related activism will not be limited to Davos and Graubünden. Employers should brief travellers on the possibility of pop-up protests in major Swiss cities through 24 January and verify hotel cancellation policies in Bern, Zurich and Geneva. Companies running shuttle buses to Davos may also face route diversions if demonstrations spread.
Police say they will maintain an elevated presence in Bern through the WEF period and have coordinated with federal authorities to allow rapid deployment to other cantons if needed.
