Tens of thousands of young people take to streets across Germany, with protests reported in 34 cities.
The protests on Saturday were organized by the campaign group called "Gen Z regelt" — "Gen Z takes charge" in German.
The group says it opposes compulsory military service and wants greater investment in education as many young Germans struggle with rising costs.
Lina Friedrich, the group's spokesperson, said in Berlin on Saturday that young people want the Merz government to provide them with better health and education at lower costs.
"What matters most to us is better support for the health and education systems. We are against compulsory military service and we are in favor of a fairer distribution of the burden."
"We are here today to fight for peace and freedom, rather than for war and coercion," Friedrich asserted.
"The government has offered no response to our concerns other than to continue making cuts and piling further burdens upon us," said 18-year-old Steve in Munich. "We will continue to exercise our fundamental right to assemble until you stop ignoring us."
In the meantime, some protesters trashed the streets of Germany's biggest cities, including Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and Frankfurt, the country's financial hub.
Organizers said 120,000 took part in the protests, below the 182,000 participants that the organizers had initially expected.
Reports said businesses were damaged and looted as the protests turned violent after police intervened, trying to clamp down on the protesters to get the situation under control, according to a Reuters witness.
"Violent disturbances are continuing," Frankfurt police said on X. "In the city center, windows have been smashed at several shops. Molotov cocktails are also being thrown at the emergency services."
It added, "We urge all bystanders to avoid the city center or to leave the area."
The protests in Germany follow a wave of similar demonstrations across Europe this year led by young people.
In Serbia, student-led activism helped unseat the country's longtime leader at the ballot box, while protests in France have descended into rioting and looting.
Roman Poseck, interior minister for the state of Hesse, said German youth must not model their activities on the ongoing unrest in neighboring France.
He insisted, “France must not be held up as a model in this regard."
The German protests coincide with Halloween festivities across the world.
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website