Berlin police use force during youth march chanting for Palestine and against Merz

German police detained 22 people during a Gen Z march in Berlin protesting cuts to social spending and a mandatory conscription plan. Participants raised slogans calling for freedom for Palestine and chanted against Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

German police used force on Saturday evening during a march organized by the youth initiative "Gen Z regelt" in the capital Berlin. The demonstrators were protesting cuts to education and social services, rising living costs and the government's plan to impose mandatory conscription.

Protesters chanted slogans including "Freedom for Palestine," "We want a future, let the rich go to war" and "Merz to the front," referring to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, according to an Anadolu correspondent.

Clashes on Kurfürstendamm

The march began at Savignyplatz in the Charlottenburg district and proceeded along the famous Kurfürstendamm shopping street to Halensee station. It turned into clashes between protesters and police, who used force to disperse them, while some participants set off fireworks and smoke bombs.

Anadolu footage shows helmeted police officers facing masked demonstrators carrying red flags, while flares burn in the crowd. Police officers accompanied by dogs were also deployed in front of luxury stores along the route.

22 detained and two officers injured

Berlin police said they temporarily detained 22 people and recorded 13 criminal complaints involving charges including disturbing public order, assaulting and resisting police officers, and violating explosives laws. Two officers sustained minor injuries among the 700 officers deployed at the scene. Local broadcaster rbb quoted police as saying that its officers also responded with punches and kicks.

A line of German police officers facing protesters carrying the Palestinian flag in Berlin

Police said the number of participants peaked at about 1,200, although the application submitted to the authorities was for only 100 people. An Anadolu correspondent estimated the crowd at about 1,500.

European youth strike on November 20

The initiative, which includes young people aged 14 to 30, is calling for increased education spending, climate protection and action to address the rising cost of living. It mobilized more than 100,000 young people in over 30 German cities on October 31 and called for a Europe-wide youth strike on November 20. Organizers expect 15,000 people to take part in Berlin alone.

A crowd of young protesters raising flags in Berlin on the night of November 14