Nov. 28, 2009 (United Press International) -- Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to bust up a violent protest of an upcoming international trade meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, officials said.

Thirty-three protesters were arrested.

About 3,000 people turned out Saturday afternoon in the center of the Swiss city, where a peaceful protest had been scheduled ahead of next week's World Trade Organization conference, Geneva police spokesman Patrick Puhl told CNN.

"The troublemakers quickly began attacking banks, hotels and shops, smashing windows and burning four cars, so we had to stop them using tear gas and rubber bullets," Puhl said.

The BBC reported some anti-capitalist protesters said they believe the WTO works for big business and exploits developing countries