Shops looted as German cost of living protests turn violent

Summarised from 5 outlets · Updated 1 Nov, 14:41 · Archive

Largely peaceful cost of living demonstrations in German cities descended into violence and looting as night fell.

Tens of thousands joined largely peaceful demonstrations across more than 30 German cities on Saturday organised by Gen Z regelt, a youth campaign group calling for better school and health funding, climate protection and affordable living costs. The protests also opposed the government's plans to reintroduce limited military conscription for 18-year-old men. Gen Z regelt spokesperson Lina Friedrich said the demonstrations were 'to fight for peace and freedom, rather than for war and coercion'.

As night fell, violence erupted in several cities. In Frankfurt's city centre, masked rioters smashed shop windows and looted goods, including from a perfume store, sports clothing outlet and gun shop. Police said rioters threw Molotov cocktails and stones at emergency services, and that two weapons were seized after a suspect was arrested.

Clashes also broke out in Berlin, Cologne and Hamburg. In Hamburg, protesters burned barricades and shot pyrotechnics at police. In Cologne, around 500 demonstrators refused to leave the city centre near the cathedral and were surrounded by officers after police withdrew permission for the protest following reports of participants wearing balaclavas and letting off fireworks. Police used water cannon and tear gas to disperse crowds across the cities.

According to the outlets, at least one police officer in Cologne was injured and nearly 30 officers in Berlin reported injuries. Between 30 and 56 arrests were made across the cities, with dozens detained overall. Hesse state premier Boris Rhein condemned the violence, saying those responsible would face consequences. Police remained on duty in Frankfurt's city centre on Sunday morning as the situation calmed.

How it is being reported

• Clashes erupt in Hamburg and Frankfurt after German peaceful protests turn violentClashes broke out in Hamburg and Frankfurt at the end of nationwide demonstrations. Tens of thousands of people across Germany joined the demonstrations demanding better education and lower living costs.New York Post · 1 Nov, 14:54
• Looted shops, burning barricades as riots erupt in FrankfurtPolice remained on the streets of Frankfurt on Sunday after rioting and looting broke out following youth demonstrations, leaving shopfronts smashed, fires burning and several people injured.Euronews · 1 Nov, 13:37
• Riots spread to Germany with shops looted after Halloween protests spiral out of control in night of chaosRioters smashed their way into shops, threw Molotov cocktails at police and set fires in the street as a weekend of violent protests over the cost of living gripped major European citiesThe Mirror · 1 Nov, 08:57
• Rioters loot stores in Germany amid cost of living protestsAfter a largely peaceful protest, violence broke out between police and demonstrators in Germany.CBS News · 1 Nov, 05:53
• Shops looted as German cost of living protests turn violentPolice in Frankfurt say "violent riots" took place in the city centre, with unrest also reported in Berlin, Hamburg and Cologne.BBC Business · 1 Nov, 01:59

In this story: Frankfurt · Berlin · Cologne · Hamburg · Gen Z regelt · Lina Friedrich · Germany · Boris Rhein

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log