German cost-of-living protests turn violent, shops looted
The gist
Tens of thousands rallied in 34 German cities on Saturday.
The youth-led 'Gen Z regelt' campaign says it wants cheaper living and better schools, not violence.
How it unfolded
- Oct 31, 2026Tens of thousands demonstrate in more than 30 German cities under the 'Gen Z regelt' banner; nearly 180,000 sign up across 34 cities, with Frankfurt, Cologne, Munich and Berlin as main hosts.
- Oct 31, 2026Daytime demonstrations are largely peaceful; in Berlin young protesters gather at Brandenburg Gate in the afternoon.
- Oct 31, 2026As darkness falls, violence erupts in Frankfurt, Berlin, Cologne and Hamburg; police use water cannon against protesters targeting emergency workers with fireworks, stones and bottles.