Young people led protests across Germany on Saturday, October 31, over living costs, education funding and compulsory military service, and violence and looting followed in Frankfurt while clashes were reported in other cities.
The demonstrations, organized by the campaign group Gen Z regelt, took place in 34 cities. Protesters called for more investment in schools and public services and opposed a return to mandatory military service. Most rallies were peaceful during the day, but clashes grew worse in the evening in Frankfurt, Berlin, Cologne and Hamburg.
In Frankfurt, masked groups smashed shop windows and looted stores. Police said emergency workers faced stones, fireworks and petrol bombs. Officers used water cannon and pepper spray as they tried to control the unrest.
Elsewhere, barricades burned. Police also used water cannon in Hamburg and Cologne. Berlin police reported injuries to officers and arrests.
Organizers initially expected 182,000 people to attend. Official figures cited by NBC indicated that fewer people attended than organizers had expected. The incidents followed a day of demonstrations focused on young people’s concerns about the cost of living, education and public spending.