FRANKFURT: Hooded demonstrators looted stores in Frankfurt late Saturday as tens of thousands of people took to the streets in major German cities, demanding improved education facilities and relief from rising living costs.

The demonstrations were organised by the campaign group “Gen Z regelt”, meaning “Gen Z takes charge”, and took place in 34 cities, including Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich.

The movement opposes compulsory military service and is calling for greater investment in education, as young people across Germany face increasing living expenses.

In Frankfurt, at least two stores were looted and several others damaged as the protests turned violent, according to a Reuters witness. Police were deployed to bring the situation under control.

Frankfurt police said on X that violent disturbances were continuing in the city centre, with shop windows smashed and Molotov cocktails thrown at emergency services. Authorities urged bystanders to avoid the area or leave the city centre.

Official estimates indicated that turnout was lower than the 182,000 participants initially expected by organisers. Police in Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin reported up to 18,000 demonstrators, compared with approximately 36,000 listed on the organisers’ website.

German authorities said most demonstrations had remained peaceful, despite concerns that extremist groups could attempt to exploit the movement. The protests coincided with Halloween celebrations.

In Hamburg, some barricades were set on fire as unrest spread to other locations.

Speaking at a demonstration in Berlin, Gen Z regelt spokesperson Lina Friedrich said the movement was advocating peace and freedom rather than war and coercion.

She said the group was seeking better support for the country’s healthcare and education systems, opposing compulsory military service and calling for a fairer distribution of responsibilities.