Masked rioters loot Frankfurt stores after mass protests

Masked rioters looted shops in Frankfurt on Saturday evening following demonstrations by tens of thousands in major German cities calling for improvements to the education system and lower living costs.

The protests follow a wave of demonstrations led by Generation Z across Europe this year. In Serbia, student activism contributed to the ousting of the long-time leader, while protests in France escalated into riots and looting.

The demonstrations, organized by the group "Gen Z Regelt" (Generation Z Takes Charge), took place in 34 cities including Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich. The group opposes compulsory military service and calls for greater investment in education, as many young Germans face rising living expenses.

A Reuters witness reported that at least two stores in Frankfurt, Germany's financial hub, were looted as protests turned violent, with damage to several other shops. Police were attempting to restore order.

Frankfurt police posted on X: "Violent disturbances continue. Several shopfronts have been smashed and Molotov cocktails thrown at emergency teams in the city center. We urge everyone in the area to avoid or immediately leave the city center."

Official figures on Saturday afternoon showed turnout was much lower than the organizers' initial estimate of 182,000. Police in Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin reported about 18,000 protesters, compared to around 36,000 listed on the organizers' website.

German authorities said Saturday's protests, which coincided with Halloween celebrations, were largely peaceful but warned that extremist groups were attempting to exploit the movement.

Fires were set at some barricades in Hamburg.

Lina Friedrich, spokesperson for Gen Z Regelt, said in Berlin on Sunday: "We are here today to fight for peace and freedom, not for war and coercion."

She added: "The most important thing for us is better support for the health and education systems. We oppose compulsory conscription and demand a fairer distribution of burdens."

The Federal Interior Ministry said that elements from Germany's far-left scene, as well as groups linked to foreign extremist movements, participated in mobilization efforts.

Roman Poseck, interior minister of Hesse state, said: "The images of what happened in France—looting, arson of homes and police vehicles, and attacks on police officers—are still fresh in all our minds."

He added: "We must not see France as a model to follow in this regard."

Some shops in German cities boarded up their windows and planned early closures ahead of the protests over fears of unrest, including stores on Berlin's Kurfürstendamm shopping street.