Protests Across 34 German Cities Turn Violent, Shops Looted in Frankfurt

Protests by young people across several German cities have been marred by violence. On Saturday night, October 31, a section of demonstrators vandalised and looted several shops in Frankfurt, the country’s financial centre. Petrol bombs were also reportedly thrown at emergency service workers.

The information was reported by Reuters on Sunday, November 1.

According to the report, the demonstrations were organised to demand increased investment in education, lower living costs and an end to compulsory military recruitment. The protests were organised by a group called ‘Gen Z Regelt’ and took place in 34 German cities, including Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich, drawing thousands of participants.

A Reuters witness reported that at least two shops were looted and several others vandalised in Frankfurt. The city police said on social media platform X that the windows of several shops in the central area had been smashed. Police also reported petrol bombs being thrown at emergency service workers and advised the public to avoid the city centre.

Organisers had expected 182,000 people to participate in the demonstrations. However, police estimates on Saturday afternoon put the combined number of protesters in Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin at around 18,000. The organisers’ website, meanwhile, reported approximately 36,000 participants.

Speaking at a rally in Berlin, the group’s spokesperson, Lina Friedrich, said they stood for peace and freedom rather than war and coercion. She said the demonstrators wanted greater investment in healthcare and education, along with a fairer distribution of responsibilities across society.

Amid fears of possible violence, businesses along Berlin’s upscale Kurfürstendamm shopping street and in other areas took precautionary measures, securing shop windows and preparing to close earlier than usual. Several barricades were also set on fire in Hamburg.

Hesse Interior Minister Roman Poseck said Germany did not want to see looting, arson or attacks on police similar to those witnessed in France. According to information from Germany’s Interior Ministry, some groups linked to far-left movements and foreign extremist organisations have also been attempting to support the protests.

Young people’s discontent has been growing amid sluggish economic growth, rising living costs and mounting pressure on public services and pension systems. However, questions have also emerged over whether the movement is genuinely being led by young people. Germany’s national school students’ organisation, BSK, has distanced itself from the initiative and announced a separate protest for November 20.