Scenes of chaos unfolded in Hamburg on the afternoon of Saturday, October 31, during a protest organized by the “Gen Z regelt” movement. The clashes erupted around 5 p.m., when a loudspeaker truck announced that the demonstration had officially concluded, according to ndr.de.
Hamburg: Clashes between police and protesters
Near the central bus station (ZOB), groups of protesters dragged objects into the road and attempted to erect barricades, which they then set ablaze. At the same time, they hurled bottles, stones and chunks of pavement at police officers. Law enforcement pursued the demonstrators in an effort to bring the violence under control.
“We hate this state and the police”
After an initially peaceful demonstration, the situation escalated sharply in the early evening, with fireworks, rocks and entire construction site fences launched toward police lines. Protesters destroyed a construction site and set a road barricade on fire in the middle of the street. Many were dressed in black with their faces covered. A loudspeaker vehicle continuously urged the crowd to push forward and resist police, while the chant rang out: “We are against the system — we hate this state and the police.”
Police responded by forming chain formations and attempted to separate violent demonstrators from peaceful ones — a task that proved extremely difficult. Officers also deployed water cannons to extinguish the fires, and pepper spray was used against protesters in several instances.
Earlier in the day, the demonstration had been largely peaceful. The “Gen Z regelt” initiative had called for a rally at Jungfernstieg at 2 p.m. By just before 3 p.m., participants had gathered at the meeting point and the march got underway.
BREAKING: Riots have now broken out in Hamburg. Far-left extremists carrying Palestinian flags are building barricades and setting fires. https://t.co/FsNp8m2Lu0
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) October 31, 2026
According to police, approximately 6,700 people participated at the demonstration’s peak, a figure broadly consistent with the organizers’ own estimate of between 6,000 and 7,000 attendees.
Chants against mandatory military service and Merz
After an intermediate rally at Steintorplatz, the march continued to its final destination at Lohmühlenpark. Many participants carried banners and placards as they walked. Chants rang out throughout the route, directed primarily against mandatory military conscription and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Protesters also repeatedly shouted: “Long live international solidarity!”
One of the dominant slogans of the day was: “Against mandatory military service — Generation Z decides!”
What “Gen Z regelt” is demanding
Demonstrations under the “Gen Z regelt” (Generation Z takes charge) banner were held across 34 German cities, including Bremen, Hanover and Göttingen. Organizers called for, among other things, greater investment in the education system, consistent climate protection policies and concrete measures to address the rising cost of living.
One placard held by demonstrators read: “We demand policies that invest in education, social security, healthcare and affordable living — instead of making cuts at the expense of the younger generation. We want a say when decisions are made about our future.”
