The acts follow a wave of demonstrations led by young people from generation Z in different European countries this year. In Serbia, a student mobilization helped defeat the country's former leader at the polls, while protests in France ended in episodes of violence and looting.
The acts in Germany add to a wave of protests with strong participation from generation Z registered in different European countries throughout this year. The mobilizations have different agendas, which include education, housing, employment and combating corruption, and use social networks as an important organizing tool.
In Germany, the protests were organized by the "Gen Z regelt" movement, an expression that means something like "generation Z takes control".
The events took place in 34 cities, including Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich. The group is against mandatory military service and advocates for more investment in education, amid the rising cost of living faced by young people. See photos from the protest below.
In Frankfurt, Germany's financial center, at least two stores were looted during the violence. Other establishments were damaged as police tried to control the situation, according to a Reuters witness.
"Violent disturbances continue," Frankfurt police said in a post on X.
"In the city center, windows of several stores have been smashed. Molotov cocktails are also being thrown at emergency services personnel. We ask everyone to avoid the city center or leave the area."
Official figures released on Saturday afternoon indicated that the audience was below the 182 thousand participants initially expected by the organizers. Police in Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin registered up to 18,000 protesters, half of the approximately 36,000 reported on the movement's website.
German authorities said Saturday's demonstrations, held on the same day as Halloween celebrations, were mostly peaceful, but warned of attempts by extremist groups to take advantage of the movement.
In Hamburg, some barricades were set on fire.
"We are here today to fight for peace and freedom, not war and coercion," said Lina Friedrich, spokeswoman for Gen Z regelt, during the event in Berlin.
"What matters most to us is expanding support for the health and education systems. We are against compulsory military service and in favor of a fairer distribution of burdens."
According to the German Interior Ministry, members of far-left groups and foreign extremist movements mobilized to increase support for the protests.
"We all remember the images of France: looting, burning houses, burning police vehicles and attacks on police officers," said Roman Poseck, interior minister for the state of Hesse, where Frankfurt is located.
"France should not be seen as a model in this regard."
Some businesses boarded up their windows and planned to close early due to the risk of riots, including on Kurfürstendamm, one of Berlin's main shopping avenues.
Organizers say younger generations face increasing pressure in Germany, Europe's biggest economy.
"The government has given us no response to our concerns other than to continue making cuts and burdening us even more," said Steve, 18, who was speaking at a rally in Munich. The statement was addressed to Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
"We will continue to exercise our fundamental right to assemble until they stop ignoring us."
Germany has faced difficulties in resuming economic growth. At the same time, pressure is increasing on the pension system and public services as the baby boomer generation retires and the working-age population shrinks.
The movement's leadership, however, has been the target of questioning, given the variety of political groups and civil society organizations involved in the acts. There are also doubts about the extent to which the initiative is effectively led by young people.
BSK, a national organization representing primary school students in Germany, distanced itself from the initiative and plans to hold a separate protest on November 20.
Sean Baker, a student at the Technical University of Berlin, said he would take part in the protests to draw attention to the poor condition of campus buildings.
"When you enter the rooms, it feels like you are in an abandoned building," he told Reuters. "And yet, this is where we must study every day."
The events were organized by the “Gen Z regelt” movement and took place in 34 cities, including Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich.
Young people protested against the increase in the cost of living, the precariousness of schools and budget cuts, in addition to demanding more investment in education and public services. The group also opposes mandatory military service and criticizes increased military spending.
Before the demonstrations, thousands of police officers were mobilized across the country, while traders protected shop windows and facades due to fear of looting.
The organizers initially expected more than 170 thousand participants, an estimate that reached 182 thousand, but the official numbers were below the forecast. In Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin, the police counted up to 18 thousand protesters, compared to around 36 thousand reported on the movement's website.
German authorities stated that the acts were mostly peaceful, although episodes of violence were recorded.
In Frankfurt, at least two stores were looted, other establishments were damaged and Molotov cocktails were thrown at emergency teams. In Hamburg, barricades were set on fire. The government also warned of attempts by extremist groups to take advantage of the demonstrations.
