UPDATE - German Gen Z protests escalate in Hamburg, Stuttgart, Cologne, and Frankfurt
- Security forces use tear gas and pepper spray to disperse demonstrators - Authorities ban protest march in Cologne
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- Security forces use tear gas and pepper spray to disperse demonstrators - Authorities ban protest march in Cologne
UPDATES WITH LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN SEVERAL CITIES; CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK
By Oliver Towfigh Nia
BERLIN (AA) - ***Gen Z youth protests on Saturday escalated in several German cities, including Hamburg, Stuttgart, Cologne, and Frankfurt, according to police.
At least two people were arrested during a youth protest march in Hamburg on Saturday afternoon, according to police.
One of them was apparently carrying a fake firearm during march in the upscale Jungfernstieg neighborhood. Police officers overpowered both men. There were no immediate reports of injuries or information about their motives.
As the protest came to an end, rioters set fire to barricades in Hamburg’s city center as water cannons arrived to extinguish the fire.
Police officers tried to clear the street. Firecrackers and bottles were thrown at police officers from the crowd.
Police used tear gas and pepper spray to disperse protesters.
More than 10,000 people took part in the march in Hamburg.
Police had prepared for a large-scale operation following the announcement of nationwide youth protests. Drones and water cannons were deployed.
The “Gen Z Takes Charge” initiative called for protests throughout Germany. Demonstrators are demanding more money for education, consistent climate protection, measures to combat rising living costs, and opposition to the introduction of mandatory military service.
Police in the southern city of Stuttgart reported that fireworks were apparently fired at officers from within a protest march. Police also reported scattered vandalism along the route, including graffiti and burning litter bins, which officers extinguished.
Earlier, the march had been halted several times over masked participants and fireworks. According to police, at least 3,000 people took part, with some marchers wearing face masks.
Protesters threw firecrackers, lit flares, and tried to stray from the route. Police officers were also reportedly pelted with eggs.
- Police cancel protests march in Cologne
Separately, police canceled a march after fireworks were set off and several participants failed to comply with the ban on face coverings.
On the outskirts of a Gen Z demonstration in Cologne, a police water cannon was deployed. A German Press Agency reporter said that the water cannon sprayed water at demonstrators after several firecrackers were set off. A police spokeswoman said that there had been earlier attacks on law enforcement officers using fireworks.
Police had previously canceled a march after fireworks were set off and several participants failed to comply with the ban on face coverings.
According to police, several thousand people took part in the demonstration in Cologne, but fewer than the 15,000 who had registered.
- Situation escalates in Frankfurt
The situation on the ground in downtown Frankfurt also escalated. According to public broadcaster hessenschau, protesters threw bottles and the overall atmosphere was tense.
Police had previously said firecrackers were being thrown at officers. A water cannon was also deployed near the protest site and law enforcement officers threatened to use pepper spray.