Protests in 34 cities as Germany's Gen Z takes to the streets this Saturday

Tens of thousands of young Germans are set to demonstrate this Saturday in at least 34 cities to demand more resources for education and to protest the cost of living and the housing shortage. The rally, launched by the group Gen Z regelt, explicitly rejects violence and military service.

Germany's Gen Z takes to the streets. Around **160,000 people** signed up online to take part in the demonstrations called for this Saturday in at least **34 German cities**, according to information released by the organising group, Gen Z regelt (Gen Z takes charge). The marches are planned in Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Cologne, Düsseldorf and Hamburg, among others.

## Education, housing and cost of living

The organisers denounce the decline of education, the rising cost of living and the lack of affordable housing. These are the three demands underpinning a protest that also rejects military service. The movement draws inspiration from the youth demonstrations that have taken place in France.

German authorities have found no signs of violent groups infiltrating the initiative. The call to action includes an explicit rejection of violence against people or property.

## Boards over shop windows

Despite that rejection, shops in central Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and Cologne have boarded up their windows for antiestéticar of looting like that seen in France. It is a precautionary measure by the businesses, not a response to any incidents linked to this rally.

The protest comes with Gen Z at the forefront of economic discontent combining housing prices, the cost of living and education funding. Turnout in the various cities will determine the real scale of a rally that, for now, is measured by online sign-ups.