German Gen Z Group Calls Mass Protests in 21 Cities for October 31

A German youth initiative calling itself Gen Z regelt — roughly, Gen Z's Got It — has called for mass protests in 21 cities across the country on Saturday, October 31. Demonstrations are planned in Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg and Munich, among other locations, with thousands of participants expected. Organizers say the protests target what they call broken schools and austerity policies.

The stated grievances extend beyond education. According to dw.com, the demonstrations also address the cost of living, social injustice, military conscription and climate change. The initiative's website states explicitly that it is against all violence, whether aimed at people or at property.

The call comes after protests in France turned violent over the weekend, with widespread destruction of private and public property. Those demonstrations began with student frustration over the national school system before widening to include numerous unions, groups and individuals airing anger over a range of issues. Similar unrest has been seen in Italy and Spain.

German police said they are vigilant and relaxed, adding that they intend to protect the right to congregate and express opinions. Still, the images from France, Italy and Spain have raised concerns among domestic policymakers and police, who have warned against left-wing extremists hijacking the protests.

Andreas Roßkopf, head of the German Federal Police's GdP union, said officers would respond harshly to any riots, telling the Rheinische Post on Wednesday that state and federal police would offer a firm and decisive response to trouble. He also warned that radicals and extremists could insert themselves among demonstrators in order to attack police or simply be destructive.

With the protests set for Saturday, attention now turns to how large the crowds will be and whether the events remain peaceful. Organizers have distanced themselves from violence, while police have signaled both a willingness to protect assembly and a readiness to act firmly if disorder breaks out.