Germany Gen Z protests end in clashes with police

German youth-led protests ended in clashes with police in several cities on Saturday after tens of thousands joined demonstrations organised by the group GenZ regelt!.

Police used water cannon and pepper spray after masked demonstrators threw fireworks, stones and bottles. Several police officers were injured.

In Frankfurt, police said emergency service workers were hit by stones and fireworks as officers tried to clear protesters. Police also used water cannon in Hamburg and Cologne after saying demonstrators targeted emergency workers with fireworks, stones and bottles.

In Berlin, a separate evening protest not organised by GenZ regelt! also turned tense, with police reporting that they were pelted with eggs and bottles. Police in Leipzig used pepper spray after protests turned violent, and a police officer in Bonn suffered minor injuries during a confrontation.

The main youth-led demonstrations were largely peaceful during the day. Protesters complained about issues including the high cost of living, poorly maintained schools, spending cuts, increased military spending and a voluntary service model aimed at boosting troop numbers.

GenZ regelt! said about 120,000 people took part. The movement rejected violence and said extremist groups, anti-constitutional symbols, racism and hate speech had no place in its protests.