The demonstration in Zurich on Monday came despite a ban on major public rallies and follows a wave of sometimes violent protests in North America, Europe, New Zealand and Iran.
The protesters carried banners saying Black Lives Matter, Silence is Violence or Stop Police Brutality referring to the death of a 46-year old George Floyd at the hands of a white police officer in the city of Minneapolis a week ago.
Observers estimate up to 2,000 people took part in the protest in Zurich, while police put the figure at “several hundred”, according to the Keystone-SDA news agency.
The march through the city passed off peacefully with police standing by and calling on participants to leave, the Neue Zürcher Zeitung newspaper reported.
The number of protesters clearly exceeded the limit of 300 people set by the government since last Saturday to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Rallies in Geneva and Bern
About 400 people gathered for a vigil in a public park in the Swiss capital, Bern on Monday, but police did not intervene according to local media.
However, a protest with about 30 participants in the city of Geneva on Monday was broken up by security forces, according to Keystone-SDA.
Police have been criticised for interfering heavy-handedly during anti-government protests in several Swiss cities over the past few weeks.
More
More
2019 data shows racism on the rise in Switzerland
This content was published on
Switzerland documented a record 352 cases of discrimination in 2019, reflecting an increase in racist and far-right actions.
Swiss committee wants to end government resignations during legislative term
This content was published on
Members of the Federal Council should no longer be able to leave office before the end of their term, according to a House of Representatives committee.
Swiss government seat: Ritter and Pfister nominated to succeed Amherd
This content was published on
Markus Ritter from St Gallen and Martin Pfister from Zug were officially nominated by the Centre Party on Friday to succeed Defence Minister Viola Amherd.
Top Swiss court rejects Russian request for administrative tax assistance
This content was published on
There is currently no reason to transmit banking information to the Russian Federation, the Swiss Federal Court has ruled.
After strike by radiologists, doctors demonstrate in Bern
This content was published on
Following a strike by radiology technicians in Fribourg, doctors, vets, dentists and chiropractors expressed their frustration on Friday outside parliament in the Swiss capital.
Eurovision and bleak world situation are top themes at Basel carnival
This content was published on
The Eurovision Song Contest and the gloomy global situation are among the main themes of Basel Fasnacht (carnival) this year.
Prices of Swiss investment properties continue to rise despite stagnating rents
This content was published on
Although rents in Switzerland stagnated or fell in the final quarter of last year, prices for investment properties continued to rise. Both apartment buildings and office properties have become more expensive.
Probe into wrong Swiss pension figures clears federal office
This content was published on
Employees of the Swiss Federal Social Insurance Office (FSIO) did not breach their duty of care when calculating pension prospects, an investigation has concluded.
This content was published on
Hotels in the southern Swiss canton of Ticino welcomed significantly more guests last December than in the same month of the previous year.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Racial discrimination prevalent at work and school
This content was published on
Swiss counselling centres have reported 278 cases of discrimination based on colour, ethnicity and religion last year – down 10% on 2017.
Majority of population see racism as key social problem
This content was published on
Almost 60% of the Swiss population consider racism an important social problem, a poll by the Federal Statistical Office has found.
This content was published on
Those who dressed in Ku Klux Klan costumes during carnival celebrations in canton Schwyz not guilty of racism, local justice officials say.
This content was published on
Two tragic shootings in the US have left the Swiss media perplexed and asking – why is the US paralysed when it comes to protecting its citizens?
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.