Tens of thousands of young people have staged protests across major German cities, demanding improvements in education and measures to reduce the rising cost of living.
The demonstrations, organised by a youth group known as “Gen Z regelt” (Gen Z has got this), took place on Saturday, October 31, with several police officers reportedly injured as violence erupted in some cities.
The protests were largely peaceful during the day but escalated in the evening when groups of demonstrators refused to disperse.
Violent incidents were reported in Frankfurt, Berlin, Cologne and Hamburg, where police used water cannon against protesters accused of throwing Molotov cocktails.
The rallies were inspired by similar youth-led movements in France and Italy.
According to the organisers, about 120,000 people participated in the demonstrations, falling short of the estimated 180,000 they had expected.
Photographs from the protests showed demonstrators gathering on streets across the country, including a person dressed in a Batman costume near a street fire in Frankfurt.
The demonstrations highlight growing concerns among young people over education and the cost of living in Germany.
