German rioters loot shops as ‘Gen Z’ protests turn ugly

On Saturday, massive demonstrations in Germany turned violent, with police firing water cannons at rioters throwing Molotov cocktails. In Frankfurt, masked rioters looted shops, with police facing protesters hurling stones, fireworks, and petrol bombs. The group "GenZ regelt!" organized the protests, inspired by similar movements in France and Italy, which called for political elites to listen to the concerns of younger generations.

Tensions peaked in the evening, leading to violence in major cities such as Berlin, Cologne, and Hamburg. Police arrested suspects and seized weapons, and a trainer shop and perfume store were among those targeted. Police used water cannons in Hamburg, Cologne, and Cologne, and in Berlin, a protest not organized by "GenZ regelt!" saw demonstrators pelted with eggs and bottles.

Some police officers were injured, and at least one was receiving medical treatment. The youth-led protests started peacefully, but violence broke out as some groups refused to disperse. Police said they intervened decisively to prevent major property damage. The movement's complaints included high living costs, poorly maintained schools, government spending cuts, and military spending increases. "GenZ regelt!" explicitly rejected violence and extremist symbols.