German Police Clash With Youth in Violent Protests

German police have clashed with people in several cities after tens of thousands of young people joined nationwide demonstrations on Saturday, with officers using water cannons and pepper spray to control the violence.

The protests, organised by the youth-led group “GenZ regelt!” (Gen Z has got this!), were largely peaceful during the day. However, tensions rose in the evening when some people refused to leave. Several police officers were injured as masked people threw fireworks, stones and bottles at security personnel.

In Frankfurt, western Germany, people pelted police with objects. Officers responded with water cannons and pepper spray to clear the crowds.

“Incidents of stones and fireworks being thrown at the emergency services continue to occur,” police said in a post on X.

“We are taking action against these troublemakers,” it added.

Police also used water cannons in Hamburg and Cologne after people allegedly attacked emergency workers with fireworks, stones and bottles.

In Berlin, a separate evening protest that was not organised by “GenZ regelt!” also turned tense. Police said people threw eggs and bottles at officers. In Leipzig, eastern Germany, officers used pepper spray after demonstrations became violent.

Meanwhile, a police officer in Bonn suffered minor injuries during a confrontation with a group of people. Authorities also reported several arrests.

Earlier in the day, the demonstrations had a largely peaceful and festive atmosphere. Some people wore costumes, including dinosaur and Batman outfits, as the rallies coincided with Halloween. They carried signs reading “Time for resistance” and “Merz must go”, referring to conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

The protests were inspired by similar youth-led movements in France and Italy. They urged political leaders to pay closer attention to younger people’s concerns.

The movement’s concerns include the rising cost of living, poorly maintained schools and government spending cuts. Residents also accuse political leaders of making decisions without considering younger generations’ needs.

They have also criticised increased military spending and a new voluntary service model designed to boost troop numbers. Some fear the plan could lead to the return of compulsory military service.

The “GenZ regelt!” group said about 120,000 people took part in the demonstrations. Police described the main protests as “very peaceful”. However, Andreas Rosskopf, an official with the police union, told the Rheinische Post newspaper that officers had responded firmly when violence broke out.

He said police “intervened very decisively and also forcefully”. He added that major property damage had so far been avoided. Some jewellery stores and luxury clothing shops had boarded up their windows before the protests to prevent looting.

The demonstrations came following growing youth-led protests across Europe. In France, rallies took place for a third consecutive weekend on Saturday, with clashes reported in Paris and other areas.

Nationwide demonstrations in France on October 17 also descended into some of the country’s worst riots in years. Meanwhile, German officials have been in contact with their counterparts in France and Italy over concerns that radical groups from other countries could join the protests.

Despite the violence, “GenZ regelt!” has rejected calls for unrest and distanced itself from extremist groups.

“Extremist groups, anti-constitutional symbols, racism and hate speech have no place with us — no matter from which side,” the movement said.