Youth-Led Protests Turn Violent Across Germany, Injuring Police Officers

Nationwide protests, largely organized by the youth group "Gen Z regelt" (Gen Z has got this), saw tens of thousands participate across Germany on Halloween. While demonstrations remained largely peaceful during the day, inspired by similar movements in France and Italy, tensions escalated in the evening as some groups refused to disperse, leading to violence in major cities including Frankfurt, Berlin, Cologne, and Hamburg. Police were forced to deploy water cannon against individuals throwing Molotov cocktails, resulting in several officers being injured. "Gen Z regelt" reported approximately 120,000 participants, falling short of their expected 180,000. Images from the events show clashes between police and protesters, marches through city streets, and instances of looting, such as in Frankfurt where a gun store was targeted. Authorities stated that the demonstrations on October 31, 2026, were initially peaceful.