Europe
Frankfurt after night of riots: 100 police officers injured, 54 arrested and five shops looted
Largely peaceful protests by the “Gen Z regelt” initiative in several German cities were followed by violence in Frankfurt and Cologne. Interior Minister Dobrindt blames violent left-wing groups and individuals from immigrant communities.
By ANN Newsroom · Newsroom
November 1, 2026, 16:00 · Updated 19:04 · 2 min read
In brief
- Frankfurt police reported 54 arrests, 100 officers injured, one seriously, and five shops looted.
- Those arrested are aged 13 to 29; according to the Hesse interior minister, most are German nationals.
- The organizers distanced themselves from the violence and are planning European protests on Nov. 20.
Tens of thousands of young people took to the streets of several major German cities on Saturday afternoon, including Berlin, Cologne and Frankfurt, in protests organized by the “Gen Z regelt” initiative, which had called for peaceful demonstrations in more than 30 cities. According to DPA, cited by ATSH, the protesters are demanding more funding for schools, measures against the rising cost of living and stronger policies against global warming. In the evening the situation deteriorated, especially in Frankfurt and Cologne, while in Berlin bottles and fireworks were thrown.
The police tally
At a news conference on Sunday at midday, Frankfurt police and the Hesse Interior Ministry reported 54 arrests, 100 officers injured, one of them seriously, and five shops looted, according to public broadcaster hessenschau. A gun shop was also attacked, where blank-firing pistols were seized. Those arrested are aged 13 to 29. According to police, the riots on the Zeil shopping street were caused by a group different from the protesters, mostly young men, many of them with migrant backgrounds, with no discernible political motive. Fireworks, Molotov cocktails and barricades were used.
Political reactions
Hesse Interior Minister Roman Poseck spoke of “a horrific excess of violence” and said most of those arrested are German nationals. State Premier Boris Rhein declared that the violence “will not remain without consequences.” Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt told the newspaper Bild that the blame lies with “violent left-wing groups and problematic individuals from immigrant communities,” praising the police for preventing, in his words, violence on the scale of Paris. Frankfurt Mayor Mike Josef said it does not matter where someone's passport comes from: whoever uses violence must face the law.
The organizers of “Gen Z regelt” distanced themselves from the violence and announced further protests, including European demonstrations on Nov. 20.
