More than 200 people detained in Germany after Gen Z protests

Peaceful marches by day — riots by night

On Saturday, mass youth protests took place in Germany, organized by the Gen Z Regelt initiative in more than 30 cities: tens of thousands of young people demanded increased funding for education and measures against the rising cost of living, and spoke out against plans to reinstate compulsory military service. The daytime actions were mostly peaceful, but after nightfall in several cities radical groups staged separate small demonstrations, built barricades and clashed with police. In total, according to police, more than 200 people were detained overnight, Anadolu reports.

Cities and figures

In Hamburg, violence began after the main demonstration ended at around 5:00 pm: near the central bus station, protesters dressed in black, some wearing masks, built burning barricades and threw stones, bottles and fireworks at police officers; 11 officers were injured, 120 people were detained, and small fires and unrest continued overnight in the eastern districts of the city. In Berlin, in the evening in the Mitte district — separately from the peaceful gathering at the Brandenburg Gate — up to 56 people were temporarily detained; 27 police officers received minor injuries, and demonstrators also blocked a tram, so the march was stopped short of its planned endpoint. In Frankfurt, masked groups that had not taken part in the main action smashed shop windows and looted stores, including a gun shop: according to police, at least two firearms were stolen, one suspect was detained, and the weapons were recovered; in total, more than 30 preliminary detentions and significant property damage were registered there. In Cologne, at least five people were detained near the cathedral.

The authorities' response

Cologne police chief Johannes Hermanns condemned the violence, saying: 'It is sad that young people who wanted to demonstrate peacefully for their future were infiltrated by extremists who thought only of violence.' He thanked those participants who remained peaceful and distanced themselves from the riots. By Sunday morning the situation in the affected cities had largely returned to normal; police continue their investigation and assessment of the damage.