Germans join Europe's wave of 'Gen Z' protests; police fire water cannon on demonstrators

German police fired a water cannon to disperse firework-hurling protesters on Saturday and were also pelted with other projectiles, as tensions rose at the end of massive youth-led protests. In Berlin, Frankfurt, Cologne and dozens of other cities, demonstrators turned out for the protests organised by the group ‘ GenZ regelt! ’ (GenZ has got this), the latest by disillusioned youth in Europe. Thousands of police were deployed across the country and, after mostly peaceful demonstrations, tensions rose in the evening in some places. In the western city of Cologne, where one of the biggest demonstrations took place, police fired a water cannon to disperse a crowd after saying protesters had targeted officers with fireworks. “We will not tolerate violence against emergency workers,” said a police statement. Protesters light dlares after a demonstration organised by “GenZ regelt!

” (Gen Z has got this! ) in Frankfurt am Mian on October 31, 2026. — AFP Earlier, a march through the city was halted after demonstrators started setting off fireworks. A march was also temporarily halted in Frankfurt after protesters set off fireworks. In Berlin, protesters hurled bottles and eggs while protesters set barricades ablaze in Hamburg, and police were using pepper spray on demonstrators in some places, Germany’s daily Bild reported. Demonstrators had earlier taken to the streets waving signs that read “Time for resistance” and “Merz must go”, in reference to conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz. They have been inspired by similar movements across Europe, including in France and Italy . Europe-wide protests “We’re taking to the streets for a life that everyone can afford,” said Veronika Dinter, a spokeswoman for the “ GenZ regelt! ” movement. “Hardly anyone still believes in a better…