Germany Vows Severe Penalties After Gen Z Protest Riots

German officials have promised severe penalties after the Germany Gen Z protests over education and living costs turned violent on Saturday (Oct 31), with shops looted in Frankfurt and at least 100 police officers injured over the weekend, ABC News reported, citing Reuters and the German government.

The rallies, organised by the campaign group Gen Z regelt (“Gen Z takes charge”), were held in dozens of cities. Euronews reported that they were largely peaceful in the afternoon before rioting broke out after dark. Organisers have distanced themselves from the violence.

Frankfurt the main flashpoint

Hesse state Interior Minister Roman Poseck told a press conference on Sunday (Nov 1) that 17 stores in Frankfurt were damaged and five were looted. He said more than 100 officers were hurt in the clashes and that 54 people, aged between 13 and 29, were arrested, with 1,300 officers deployed.

Euronews reported that the Zeil shopping street was hit hard and that a gun shop was attacked, with police seizing two weapons and arresting several suspects. Molotov cocktails and other objects were thrown at officers, who used water cannon, armoured vehicles and a helicopter.

Poseck said police faced between 1,000 and 1,500 violent troublemakers, whom he described as predominantly from an immigrant background.

Arrests in Berlin, Hamburg and Cologne

In Berlin, a youth march of about 3,500 people, according to police, turned violent with flares and firecrackers. Berlin police said 27 officers suffered minor injuries and almost 60 people were arrested, Euronews reported.

In Hamburg, rioters set up burning barricades and attacked officers with stones, bottles and fireworks, and about 120 people were temporarily detained. A Hamburg police spokesperson said troublemakers had “mingled with the peaceful demonstrators”.

In Cologne, a rally ended at around 4pm after masked participants set off fireworks and attacked police. One officer suffered a hand injury, and police said several criminal proceedings had been opened.

Ministers promise tough response to Germany Gen Z protests

Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said on Sunday: “I expect there to be severe penalties.” He said those responsible would be identified and held to account, and that border controls had been tightened ahead of the protests.

Dobrindt blamed left-wing groups and troublemakers from a migrant background, according to Euronews. ABC News noted that he did not provide evidence for the claim.

Hamburg police said they would rigorously pursue the offences identified. Both outlets described the German unrest as part of a wave of similar protests across Europe, including in France.

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France Protests: Over 1,300 Arrested, 53 Police Officers Injured