Germany: Gen Z group calls for November protests after weekend rallies

New demonstrations planned

Gen Z regelt, whose name roughly means “Gen Z takes charge,” said it would hold another round of protests on November 14. The group organized demonstrations in 34 cities, including Berlin, Frankfurt, Cologne and Munich.

Organizers described the weekend rallies positively. A spokesperson said Saturday that 100,000 people had shown why they were taking to the streets, while noting that attendance estimates for six to eight cities would come later.

The group has called for more funding for schools, addiction treatment and psychotherapy, along with steps to address rising living costs. It also supports social justice and stronger climate protection, and opposes compulsory military service and expanded government surveillance.

Group rejects violence afterward

Gen Z regelt said it had no influence over violent incidents that followed demonstrations in some cities. The group had called for peaceful rallies and said the events after the protests were separate from its actions.

Police described the demonstrations themselves as largely peaceful. Andreas Rosskopf, head of the police union representing the Federal Police, told the Rheinische Post that autonomous groups, some with masked members, were responsible for violence.

A Cologne police spokeswoman said looting there was more likely connected to Halloween celebrations than to the Gen Z demonstrations. German media in several cities reported that extremists had mixed into peaceful crowds.

Frankfurt reports damage

A police spokesperson described the property damage as considerable and said looted shops also needed protection. The number of people injured was not immediately clear. Hesse Premier Boris Rhein condemned what he called violent excesses in Frankfurt and said they would have consequences. He said authorities would assess the people involved and the events before deciding what action to take.