Tens of thousands of people participated in youth-led protests across Germany on Saturday that escalated into violence in several major cities, with particularly serious disturbances reported in Frankfurt. Organized by the group “GenZ regelt!” (Gen Z has got this!), the demonstrations began peacefully but were marked by clashes between protesters and police as night fell.

The protests, inspired by similar movements in France and Italy aimed at drawing attention to the concerns of the younger generation, initially featured a festive atmosphere in many cities. Participants donned costumes ranging from dinosaurs to superheroes, coinciding with Halloween celebrations. However, tensions rose sharply in the evening when some groups refused to disperse, leading to violent confrontations.

In Frankfurt, police faced rioters throwing stones, fireworks, and petrol bombs, prompting the use of water cannons and pepper spray to restore order. Authorities reported “violent riots” with several shops targeted and looted by masked individuals. Among the establishments damaged was a gun store, whose windows were smashed; police arrested a suspect and confiscated two weapons. Other shops including a trainer store and a perfume outlet were also hit. A large part of Frankfurt’s main shopping district was cordoned off as police sought to contain the unrest. A police officer was injured during the incidents and received medical treatment.

Roman Poseck, the interior minister of the state of Hesse, stated that approximately 100 left-wing extremists had infiltrated the Frankfurt protest, condemning their actions as disgraceful. Similar unrest occurred in Hamburg and Cologne, where police also deployed water cannons after protesters targeted emergency workers with fireworks, stones, and bottles. In Berlin, a separate demonstration not affiliated with “GenZ regelt!” escalated in the evening with police being pelted with eggs and bottles.

Police in Bonn reported minor injuries to an officer following a confrontation with a group of protesters, and multiple arrests were made in connection with the disturbances across the country. Despite the violence in the evening, officials noted that the daytime protests proceeded largely peacefully, with many participants engaging in the demonstrations under a spirit of youthful expression.