European Youth Protests: France and Germany see mixed results as schools reopen
Violence declined in Paris compared to previous weekends, while overnight unrest in Frankfurt resulted in over 100 injured officers and 54 detainees.
By Beatriz Soto ·
European demonstrations focused on living costs concluded on Saturday with varying levels of unrest across France, Germany, and Portugal.
In Paris, police recorded 779 arrests as of Saturday night, a decrease from 2,628 arrests on Oct. 17 and 1,314 arrests the following week. Rioters on the eastern edge of the city threw Molotov cocktails at police, injuring three officers and igniting a car. Separately, masked groups hurled fireworks at officers near the Eiffel Tower, prompting police charges that caused tourists to flee. Authorities reported that only a handful of shops in Paris and Marseille were targeted, with no major damage recorded.
A national police official stated that approximately 70,000 officers were deployed across France to manage the event. The official, who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity, noted that authorities were ready for both peaceful marchers and troublemakers. Tensions are expected to rise as high schools reopen on Monday. Student groups and labor unions have called for new nationwide protests on Tuesday and Thursday.
In Germany, more than 100,000 people, mostly young, protested peacefully on Saturday to demand increased government spending on education, housing, and climate protection. Unrest followed in Frankfurt, where rioters attacked police and looted stores in the downtown area. Police reported that more than 100 officers were injured and 54 people, aged 13 to 29, were detained. Seventeen stores were damaged in the incident, and five were looted. The situation stabilized by early Sunday morning after police cordoned off the city center.
Boris Rhein, the governor of Hesse, said he was shocked by the violent excesses in Frankfurt. Rhein stated that those who behave like the attackers place themselves outside of society. Alexander Dobrindt, the German Interior Minister, accused violent left-wing groups and troublemakers from the immigrant community of hijacking the demonstrations. Dobrindt told the daily paper Bild on Sunday that the rioters and looters would be identified and held accountable.
The youth initiative Gen Z regelt posted a statement on Instagram distancing the movement from violence committed by other groups or individuals. In Cologne, police used water cannons to disperse crowds on Saturday night, while in Berlin, protesters threw bottles and pyrotechnics at officers.
In Lisbon, Portugal, riot police removed protesters from Rossio square early Sunday after thousands marched during the day for more affordable housing. Police took down tents and detained a few individuals who had camped out in the iconic downtown square. Portuguese demonstrators have been protesting for weeks, inspired by a similar movement in Spain, to address rising living costs.
