The police in Hamburg, Germany used water cannons against a number of young rioters during the youth demonstration of the "Gen Z Regelt" initiative.

Prior to this, police forces were targeted with fireworks by a group of individuals, according to a message published by the police on their WhatsApp channel. According to a reporter from the German news agency (dpa), the use of the water cannon was likely aimed primarily at dispersing the crowd.

The situation had partially spiraled out of control earlier on Steinweg Street near the main train station. After the official announcement of the end of the demonstration organized under the slogan "Against Mandatory Military Service... Gen Z Takes Charge," individuals dressed in black, some with their faces covered, launched fireworks multiple times, uprooted plastic barriers from construction sites, and set them on fire.

Police forces were also occasionally targeted with fireworks and materials from construction sites. Fires were repeatedly set in barricades and garbage containers, and the police managed to extinguish these fires using the water cannon.

According to the police, up to 6,700 people participated in the demonstration that started in Hamburg around 14:00. The "Gen Z Regelt" initiative had called for protest events across Germany, demanding increased funding for the school education system, decisive action to protect the climate, addressing rising living costs, and rejecting the implementation of mandatory military service.

In Hamburg hat sich die Menge immer noch nicht aufgelöst. Die Polizei fährt mit gepanzerten Wagen vor, auch ein Wasserwerfer ist im Einsatz. Ein großer Polenböller soll in einer Menschenmenge explodiert sein. Es gibt Festnahmen. https://t.co/WNO6dq0ylH

— NIUS (@niusde_) October 31, 2026

UPDATE: Germany's "Gen Z" protest violence SPREADS beyond Hamburg, with water cannons turned on crowds in Cologne and Frankfurt after the marches. > Frankfurt: about 100 left-wing extremists "massively attacked" police with stones, bottles and pyrotechnics; several officers hurt, per Hesse Interior Minister Poseck > Cologne: march called off over masks and fireworks, then water cannons; 1 officer hurt, 1 arrest > Stuttgart: 2 officers hurt, several detained Tens of thousands marched in 30+ cities, mostly peacefully. The marches ended. The trouble didn't. 🎥 @NotifNews1 (Cologne) | per tagesschau/WDR/SWR

— James Reichert (@_jamesreichert) October 31, 2026