Reported by:
Cherry Meigh Timbol
News Content Editor
Published November 1, 2026
Frankfurt – Police in Frankfurt, Hamburg and other German cities came under attack on Saturday evening after a day of mostly peaceful youth-led protests. The disorder followed unrest in France in recent weeks, and authorities had been preparing for it.
The protests
Organizers say about 120,000 people took part across Germany. The demonstrations were called by “GenZ regelt!” (“Gen Z has got this!”), a new youth-led movement protesting the high cost of living, underfunded schools and universities, environmental concerns and a possible reintroduction of mandatory military service. The date coincided with Halloween, and some participants wore costumes ranging from dinosaurs to Batman. Police described the main rallies as “very peaceful.”
Evening clashes
Tension rose after dark. Police used water cannons and pepper spray after some demonstrators refused to disperse, and several officers were injured. Police said demonstrators threw fireworks, stones and bottles at emergency workers.
In Frankfurt, police said Molotov cocktails were thrown at emergency personnel and shop windows were smashed, which led to the closure of part of the Zeil shopping street. Officers arrested one suspect and seized two weapons after windows were broken at a gun shop.
In Hamburg, riot police responded after barriers were set on fire and emergency workers were attacked. Water cannons were also used in Cologne after some protesters set off fireworks during a march. Berlin’s protest appeared to remain peaceful.
Background and reaction
German authorities had been on alert as unrest sparked by high school protests in France escalated. Some social media posts urged Germans to copy French-style protests, and officials said they suspect far-left extremist groups are behind recurring student protests in Germany, including those against conscription. This remains a suspicion, and no evidence has been published linking the evening violence to specific groups. The organizers reject violence. Police said the main protests themselves had been very peaceful.
Calls for further protests across Europe on 20 November are already circulating online.
