Tens of thousands of Germans protest against cost of living
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Egypt Independent and L’essentiel
Tens of thousands of young people demonstrated in several German cities against the cost of living, lack of education funding, climate change and the possible reintroduction of military service, according to Egypt Independent and L’essentiel. The “GenZ regelt” collective estimated national participation at 120,000, Egypt Independent reported; violence broke out in Frankfurt, where police arrested a suspect and seized two weapons, according to L’essentiel.
A call by the “GenZ regelt” collective drew tens of thousands of young people to several German cities to demand more funding for education and protest against the cost of living, climate change and the possible reintroduction of compulsory military service, according to Egypt Independent and L’essentiel. The collective estimated the national turnout at 120,000, Egypt Independent reported.
In Frankfurt, where police counted 8,000 demonstrators, violence broke out in the evening. Police used water cannons and tear gas after stones, fireworks and Molotov cocktails were thrown. Shop windows were smashed, including those of a gun shop, and a suspect was arrested; two weapons were seized, according to L’essentiel. The outlet said at least one police officer was injured.
In Hamburg and Cologne, law enforcement also used water cannons after incidents targeting emergency workers, the two outlets reported. L’essentiel said thousands of police officers had been deployed across the country and that the demonstrations, mostly peaceful, saw tensions rise in the evening. In Berlin, where police counted 5,000 participants, protesters threw bottles and eggs, according to L’essentiel.
Veronika Dinter, a spokesperson for “GenZ regelt”, said demonstrators were demanding “an existence that is affordable for everyone”. Hesse Interior Minister Roman Poseck said about 100 left-wing extremists had infiltrated the Frankfurt demonstration, according to L’essentiel. The official organisation representing pupils, BSK, did not take part in the mobilisation and called for a peaceful demonstration on 20 November to demand better educational conditions.
