Germany sees mostly peaceful Gen Z protests, but nighttime clashes mar events in several cities
Youth demonstrations across Germany on Oct. 31 were largely calm during the day, while incidents of looting and violence in the evening, especially in Frankfurt and Cologne, drew police response.
Thousands of young people took to the streets in more than 30 German cities on Saturday to demand better schools, action on rising living costs and social justice. Organisers estimated around 100,000 participants nationwide, while police figures varied by city, with several hundred in Berlin and over 1,500 in Frankfurt.
The daytime marches were reported as largely peaceful, but several cities experienced disturbances after dark. In Frankfurt, police sealed off the central shopping street Die Zeil after rioters smashed windows, looted stores and attacked officers, including the use of incendiary devices. A police spokesman said a specialist firearms shop was also targeted and several arrests were made.
In Cologne, protesters near the cathedral threw bottles and bicycles at police, injuring one officer and prompting the detention of five individuals. Cologne police chief Johannes Hermanns called the violence "extremists who had nothing but violence in mind," noting that other groups besides the Gen Z demonstrators were involved.
Police unions described the overall protests as "very peaceful," with senior union representative Andreas Rosskopf stating that there was no widespread property damage and that isolated incidents were carried out by individuals acting independently, some masked. Authorities used water cannons and pepper spray in several locations, including Hamburg and Stuttgart, to disperse small groups throwing fireworks and pyrotechnics.
Political figures warned against further unrest, and researchers cautioned that ignoring youth concerns could deepen political disengagement. The demonstrations concluded with most cities reporting only minor scuffles, though tensions remained high in Frankfurt and Cologne.