Gen Z Cost-of-Living Protests Spread Across 34 German Cities and Turn Violent After Dark
Young Germans took to the streets in 34 cities on Saturday, Oct. 31, in protests led by the youth campaign group "Gen Z regelt!" — "Gen Z takes charge." The demonstrators marched over school budgets, housing costs and military service. The protests were largely peaceful during the day but turned violent in several cities after dark.
Organizers said about 120,000 people took part nationwide, below the roughly 180,000 they had expected. Police counts were lower, Reuters reported. The organizers' figure has not been officially confirmed.
The worst violence was in Frankfurt. Masked rioters looted shops and smashed windows, and police fired water cannon. Roman Poseck, the interior minister of the state of Hesse, said 17 shops were damaged and five were looted. A gun store was among the targets, and a suspect was arrested and two weapons were seized.
Poseck said about 100 people motivated by extreme left-wing ideology had infiltrated the protest. Organizers disputed that claim. Police detained dozens of people, and officers were injured. Reports differed on the number of injuries.
In Berlin, a separate evening protest threw eggs and bottles at police. That protest was not organized by Gen Z regelt. Police said 27 officers were injured and 56 people were detained.
In Cologne, police called off a march over covered faces and fireworks and deployed a water cannon. In Hamburg, barricades were set on fire, and in Stuttgart two officers were injured.
The protesters demanded more investment in schools, health care and social services, relief from rising living costs and opposition to the return of compulsory military service. Lina Friedrich, a spokesperson for Gen Z regelt, said the group rejected violence and wanted peace and freedom and better support for health and education. Germany's national student organization has distanced itself from the movement and plans its own protest on Nov. 20.
The protests are part of a wider wave of youth-led demonstrations across Europe, following similar movements in France and Italy. As the German government raises military spending, young protesters are putting education and living costs first.
