Rioters loot stores in Germany amid cost of living protests
Masked rioters smashed storefronts and looted goods Saturday in Frankfurt amid protests against rising living costs in Germany.
The largely peaceful demonstrations were led by a youth initiative called "Gen Z regelt" - roughly translated to "Gen Z's got this" - which rallied in more than 30 cities "for education, health, climate protection and an affordable life," and against any return of military conscription. Organizers said tens of thousands participated across the country, though official figures weren't immediately available.
Violence erupts
Tensions peaked in the evening as some groups of protesters refused to disperse, sparking clashes and violence in major cities including Berlin, Cologne and Hamburg. In Frankfurt's financial hub, masked protesters hurled stones, fireworks and pepper bombs, according to police.
Authorities also said looters stole weapons from a gun store, which were later retrieved. Some rioters threw Molotov cocktails at police after pummeling them with stones and bottles earlier in the day, Frankfurt police said on X.
Student demands
Earlier in the day, demonstrations had been largely peaceful. In Berlin, young protesters gathered at Brandenburg Gate on Saturday afternoon, demanding more investments in education and housing.
We call for more money to be invested in social services and education, as well as in climate protection - in short, in our future - because we are the ones who will be affected by this the longest and who will have to live with it.
Another student, Janelle Schulz, highlighted deteriorating school conditions: "At my school, the ceiling is collapsing because of water damage, nothing is being done about it, we have a shortage of teachers, the toilets are broken."
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