European Protests Turn Violent as Police Deploy Water Cannons and Tear Gas
Clashes in Germany, France, and Italy follow a wave of demonstrations against cost of living, with 70,000 French officers deployed for a third weekend of unrest.
By Dominic Foster ·
Clashes between protesters and security forces broke out across Germany, France, and Italy on Saturday, marking a third consecutive weekend of violence linked to economic demonstrations in Europe.
The protests, driven by demands for lower living costs and increased public service investment, saw police deploy water cannons in Cologne, Germany, and tear gas in Lyon, France. Barricades were set on fire in Hamburg, and Israeli and US flags were burned in Lyon.
The unrest follows a nationwide strike in Italy on Friday and continuing marches in France, where authorities deployed 70,000 police officers and gendarmes ahead of the demonstrations.
In Germany, the movement "Gen Z Takes Responsibility" organized marches in more than 30 cities. Tens of thousands participated, though Reuters reported turnout was lower than organizers predicted. Protesters demanded changes to compulsory military service plans and better funding for education and healthcare.
In Cologne, police canceled a planned march after participants covered their faces and used pyrotechnics. Although a rally along the Rhine River was initially allowed, clashes erupted during dispersal, leading to the use of a water cannon. In Stuttgart, police halted a march multiple times due to masked participants and fire devices.
Berlin's main rally near the Brandenburg Gate ended peacefully. Police estimated attendance at 5,000, while organizers claimed 11,000. A separate group of approximately 300 people gathered later at Rosenthaler Platz, where German public broadcasters reported that individuals dressed in black threw firecrackers at officers. Organizers of the main rally distanced themselves from this second demonstration.
In France, preliminary figures released at 2 p.m. local time indicated 15,000 people participated in 65 protest actions, with 27 detentions or arrests. The Interior Ministry warned of potential unrest linked to Halloween celebrations. In Lyon, clashes began when a march reached Place Jean Macé. Protesters vandalized a tram station and threw objects, prompting police to use tear gas. One person was injured and evacuated. Organizers stated 20,000 people attended.
Footage from Lyon showed protesters trampling and burning Israeli and US flags. Video circulated on social media captured three people on a shelter roof at a transit station as onlookers chanted "Israel is a murderer." In Paris, demonstrators marched along an approved route on the eastern outskirts after the Council of State upheld restrictions. Le Monde reported no major clashes in the capital.
In Marseille, several hundred people gathered in the Réformés area despite a ban. An unauthorized march moved toward Parc Longchamp, where police conducted identity checks.
Italy's Interior Ministry estimated 255,000 people participated in nationwide protests, a figure far below the 1.5 million claimed by organizers. Police conducted 60 searches across 23 cities targeting suspects accused of inciting violence online. In Rome, protesters threw objects at officers and set bins on fire, with eight people detained. In Turin, clashes occurred in Piazza Castello. In Milan, the eastern ring road was blocked for about 90 minutes. In Albania, masked individuals set bins ablaze outside the Education Ministry in Tirana after hundreds had demonstrated peacefully for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
