Germany protests turn violent as migrant troublemakers blamed
Germany’s interior minister blamed “violent left-wing groups and troublemakers from migrant communities” for violence that followed youth-led cost-of-living…
Germany’s Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt blamed “violent left-wing groups and troublemakers from migrant communities” for violence that followed youth-led protests in several cities on Saturday evening. The demonstrations called attention to the cost of living, education funding and other concerns, while police used water cannons and officials reported damage, arrests and injuries.
The rallies were organized by the youth movement “Gen Z has got this!” and began peacefully. Violence later broke out, particularly in Frankfurt and Cologne, as masked protesters smashed shop windows and police confronted crowds.
What happened after the demonstrations?
Police in Frankfurt said Molotov cocktails were thrown at emergency personnel and shop windows were smashed. Officers arrested a suspect and seized two weapons after windows were broken at a gun shop.
Hesse Interior Minister Roman Poseck said around 100 identified left-wing extremists had infiltrated Frankfurt’s protest. “It is shameful how this event here in Frankfurt has ended,” he said.
Police in Cologne said they deployed water cannons after some demonstrators set off fireworks during a march in the city center. The force said its actions targeted people causing trouble, not peaceful participants.
In Hamburg, riot police responded after barriers were set on fire and emergency workers were attacked. Police said emergency personnel had increasingly been hit with pyrotechnics and construction materials.
Berlin police said 27 officers had sustained minor injuries and just under 60 people had been detained for offenses including property damage, assault and resisting emergency forces.
Officials blame infiltrators as organizers distance themselves
Dobrindt said the demonstrations had been hijacked in the evening. He also said rioters and looters would be identified and held accountable, and called for serious penalties for breaches of public order.
Poseck warned against violence like that seen in France. “France must not be held up as a model in this regard,” he said, referring to looting, fires and attacks on police.
The movement’s organizers said they had called for peaceful protests and denied responsibility for what happened after the rallies. A spokesperson said: “We had no influence on what happened after the demonstrations ended.”
The protests were scheduled to coincide with Halloween, which organizers said would help increase turnout and visibility. The movement said 120,000 people attended demonstrations across Germany on Saturday.
Its demands included more funding for schools, action on the rising cost of living and stronger measures against global warming. The demonstrations also raised concerns about environmental policy and the possible return of mandatory military service.
The events put pressure on authorities to distinguish peaceful demonstrators from people accused of violence, as police operations stretched across several cities. For people in affected areas, the immediate consequences included damaged shopfronts, disrupted marches and emergency workers facing attacks.
In Frankfurt, more than 30 people had been temporarily detained by late evening, while Berlin police reported just under 60 detentions.
