Rioters looted shops in central Frankfurt late on Saturday as clashes erupted in German cities over the cost of living.
Besides Frankfurt – Germany’s financial hub – there were incidents of violence in Berlin, Cologne and Hamburg, with police saying they used water cannons to disperse protesters who were targeting emergency workers with fireworks, stones and bottles.
Thousands joined largely peaceful demonstrations earlier in the day. They were organised by the campaign group Gen Z regelt – meaning “Gen Z takes charge” – to protest against underfunding in schools, the high cost of living, public spending cuts and military service.
Video of “German student protesters” out on the streets of Frankfurt last night.
This is the group of looters that started storming stores moments later to steal sneakers and clothes https://t.co/lCTbyYmiQM
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) November 1, 2026
🇩🇪‼️ WTF HAPPENED WITH THE POLICE
German riot cops watch a guy smash the storefront and do nothing.
He even pounds his chest, inviting a fight: “Come here.”
-> Then a girl runs up to him and he runs away. That’s the police’s job!
What is going on?
https://t.co/6WYytZx7mm
— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) November 1, 2026
