g20 summit

Person wearing colorful outfit with tattoos on arm and torso, holding a round pin.
Black and white photo of police officers in riot gear standing on an overpass at night, with graffiti on the bridge.
Burnt car on urban street next to residential buildings.

In July 2017, Erdogan from Turkey, Putin from Russia, the then-president Michael Temer from Brazil, and Donald Trump descended upon my hometown, Hamburg, for the G20 summit. While these world leaders, the very representatives of our political landscape, convened ostensibly to address global issues, the proceedings unfolded with a disregard for the underlying causes of world disorder. Instead of prioritizing genuine solutions to enhance our lives, their focus seemed to gravitate towards advancing their respective beliefs and interests, often manifesting in divisive actions such as erecting new walls. The week of protests that ensued saw over 100 police officers injured and the detention of at least 45 protesters. The impact was so palpable that there were even reports suggesting First Lady Melania Trump encountered difficulties attending an event. These events and their aftermath were documented and shared through outlets like VICE.