Published on •Updated
“Gen Z” protests in Germany on Saturday descended into violence in parts of the country as rioters clashed with police and looters targeted shops.
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After largely peaceful protests against issues including rising living costs took place in the afternoon, rioting broke out in several cities as darkness fell.
The situation became particularly tense in Frankfurt, Cologne, Hamburg and Berlin. Shop windows were smashed and flaming barricades blocked streets as police deployed water cannons against crowds.
In Berlin, a youth demonstration involving what police said was around 3,500 people started at Rosenthaler Platz and moved towards Prenzlauer Berg on Saturday.
Pro-Palestinian and anti-fascist protesters also joined the march, some chanting anti-capitalist, anti-Israeli and anti-German slogans as flares and firecrackers were set off.
According to Berlin police, 27 officers sustained minor injuries during the unrest and almost 60 people were arrested.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt blamed “left-wing groups and troublemakers from a migrant background” for the riots and called for harsh penalties for those found to have taken part.
Hamburg
Hamburg in northern Germany also saw violent scenes on Saturday evening, as rioters built burning blockades and attacked officers with stones, bottles and fireworks.
“Unfortunately, troublemakers have today mingled with the peaceful demonstrators in order to deliberately provoke and commit criminal offences,” a spokesperson for the Hamburg Police said. “The police will rigorously pursue the offences identified and exhaust all necessary investigative measures.”
The force has yet to release final figures on the number of arrests and injuries to officers, although it said around 120 people had been temporarily taken into custody during the evening.
Around 1,300 police officers were deployed during the violence.
Frankfurt
Frankfurt am Main also saw serious rioting and looting. The Zeil shopping street was particularly affected, where rioters smashed shop windows as they sought to gain access to stores.
A gun shop was also attacked in the city. Police seized two weapons at the site and arrested several suspects.
More than 1,000 police officers, including special units, were deployed in the city, as well as water cannon, armoured vehicles and a helicopter.
According to police, Molotov cocktails and other objects were hurled at officers during the unrest.
In total, more than 30 temporary arrests were reported.
The situation grew calmer in the early hours of Sunday morning, although police said there had been considerable damage to property.
Around 8,000 people are thought to have demonstrated in Frankfurt, largely peacefully, before the violence broke out. Organisers have distanced themselves from the violence.
Cologne
In Cologne, a rally was ended at around 4 pm after some participants covered their faces and set off fireworks before officers were attacked.
“Following the gathering, attacks were carried out on the emergency services; the police deployed water cannons against the groups causing disruption,” Cologne police said in an update on Saturday evening.
“One police officer sustained a hand injury and was subsequently unable to continue on duty,” the force continued, adding that “several criminal proceedings” cases had been opened.
