Photos: Youth-led rallies sweep Germany | Protests News
Protests Erupt Across Germany, Some Turn Violent
Published on November 1, 2026
Large demonstrations unfolded throughout Germany over the weekend, with some events escalating into violence. Police deployed water cannons against individuals who were reportedly throwing Molotov cocktails.
On Saturday, tens of thousands participated in protests organized by the youth-led group “Gen Z regelt” (Gen Z has got this). Throughout the day, the demonstrations remained largely peaceful, drawing inspiration from similar movements in France and Italy.
However, tensions flared in the evening when some participants refused to leave the assembly points. Reports of violence emerged from major cities, including Frankfurt, Berlin, Cologne, and Hamburg.
“Gen Z regelt” estimated that approximately 120,000 people attended the protests, falling short of the anticipated 180,000 participants. Several police officers sustained injuries during the disturbances.
