Mass protests led by Germany's Gen Z on October 31 turned violent in several cities.
According to reports from AFP and other outlets, demonstrations organized by the youth group 'GenZ regelt' took place in major cities including Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich. These protests coincided with similar Gen Z-led demonstrations across Europe, including in France and Italy.
Protesters demanded improvements in educational environments and relief from living costs, urging political leaders to listen to the voices of younger generations. They highlighted the increasing economic pressures faced by youth in Germany, the largest economy in Europe.
Demonstrators targeted conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz, waving signs that read 'Merz must go' and 'The time to resist is now.'
The organizers claimed around 120,000 people participated in the protests, falling short of the initial estimate of 180,000.
Coinciding with Halloween festivities, many participants dressed as various characters, including Batman. While the protests were largely peaceful during the day, clashes erupted in the evening as some participants refused to disperse, leading to confrontations with police.
Frankfurt, a financial hub, experienced particularly severe unrest. Police responded to protesters throwing stones, fireworks, and Molotov cocktails with water cannons and pepper spray.
As authorities moved to quell the disturbances, significant sections of major shopping streets in Frankfurt were closed.
Police issued a statement describing the situation as a 'violent riot,' noting that several shop windows were broken and Molotov cocktails were thrown at emergency responders.
Meanwhile, large-scale weekend protests in France against rising living costs and inadequate public services continued for the third consecutive week. The French Interior Ministry reported approximately 320,000 participants nationwide, including 70,000 in Paris. This number is lower than the 550,000 reported on October 17 and 410,000 on October 24. According to AP, the marches generally maintained a festive Halloween atmosphere, although tensions escalated toward the end as clashes occurred between some participants and police.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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