Gen Z Protests Erupt Into Riots Across Germany, Dozens Arrested
Rioters clashed with police and looters targeted shops in Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Cologne after largely peaceful 'Gen Z' demonstrations on Saturday; dozens were arrested and 27 officers were hurt in Berlin alone.
"Gen Z" protests in Germany descended into violence Saturday night as rioters clashed with police and looters targeted shops in several cities, capping a day of largely peaceful demonstrations over issues including rising living costs.
Rioting broke out as darkness fell, with the situation particularly tense in Frankfurt, Cologne, Hamburg and Berlin. Shop windows were smashed and flaming barricades blocked streets as police deployed water cannons against crowds.
In Berlin, a youth demonstration of around 3,500 people started at Rosenthaler Platz and moved toward Prenzlauer Berg. Pro-Palestinian and anti-fascist protesters also joined the march, some chanting anti-capitalist, anti-Israeli and anti-German slogans as flares and firecrackers were set off. Berlin police said 27 officers sustained minor injuries and almost 60 people were arrested.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt blamed "left-wing groups and troublemakers from a migrant background" for the riots and called for harsh penalties for those found to have taken part.
In Hamburg, rioters built burning blockades and attacked officers with stones, bottles and fireworks. Around 120 people were temporarily taken into custody and 1,300 police officers were deployed. "Unfortunately, troublemakers have today mingled with the peaceful demonstrators in order to deliberately provoke and commit criminal offences," a Hamburg police spokesperson said. "The police will rigorously pursue the offences identified and exhaust all necessary investigative measures."
Frankfurt saw serious rioting and looting along the Zeil shopping street, where rioters smashed shop windows as they tried to gain access to stores. A gun shop was also attacked; police seized two weapons at the site and arrested several suspects. More than 1,000 police officers, including special units, were deployed along with water cannon, armored vehicles and a helicopter, as Molotov cocktails and other objects were hurled at officers. More than 30 temporary arrests were reported. Around 8,000 people had demonstrated in Frankfurt, largely peacefully, before the violence broke out, and organizers distanced themselves from the unrest.
In Cologne, police ended a rally at around 4 p.m. after some participants covered their faces and set off fireworks before officers were attacked. One officer sustained a hand injury, and police said several criminal proceedings were opened.
The unrest followed a wave of similar demonstrations across Europe and was reminiscent of scenes across France last month.
(Featured image: Frankfurt's Romer city hall on the Romerberg at night. Photo: Thomas Wolf, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.)