German youth plan France-style mass protests

"Gen Z regelt" — or Gen Z's Got It — a youth initiative, has called for mass protests in 21 cities across Germany on Saturday, October 31; including Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg and Munich.  

Thousands are expected to participate in demonstrations protesting "broken schools and austerity," as well as the cost of living, social injustice, military conscription and climate change.

French protests that exploded in violence and rampant destruction of private and public property this weekend also grew out of student frustration over the national school system and soon included numerous unions, groups and individuals voicing anger over a number of issues.

Gen Z regelt's website clearly states that the initiative is "against all violence," whether directed at people or property. 

Police say they are "vigilant and relaxed," adding that they intend to protect people's right to congregate and express their opinions.

Still, images of massive damage and public violence from France, Italy and Spain have raised concerns among domestic policymakers and police, who have warned against allowing the protests to be hijacked by left-wing extremists.

Andreas Roßkopf, head of the German Federal Police's GdP union, made clear that officers would deal harshly with riots and rioters, telling the Rheinische Post newspaper on Wednesday, "state, but also federal police, will offer a firm and decisive response" to any trouble.

Roßkopf also warned that radicals and extremists could insert themselves among demonstrators in order to "attack police" or "simply be destructive."

Edited by: Roshni Majumdar

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