Protester in Batman costume arrested during violent Halloween clashes in Germany

Protester in Batman costume arrested during violent Halloween clashes in Germany Saturday saw another wave of protests in cities across Germany and France, as young demonstrators clashed with riot police - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in A man wearing a Batman costume was among protesters arrested in Germany on Halloween, as fiery demonstrations continue to sweep across Europe. The would-be Dark Knight was detained in Frankfurt, where tens of thousands took to the streets across 34 cities to demand better education and lower living costs. Police in Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin reported as many as 18,000 protesters, with organisers claiming twice that number taking part. In Frankfurt, Germany's financial hub, at least two stores were looted as protests turned violent, with several more damaged and police trying to get the situation under control, according to a Reuters witness. “Violent disturbances are continuing,” Frankfurt police said on X. “In the city centre, windows have been smashed at several shops. Molotov cocktails are also being thrown at the emergency services. We urge all bystanders to avoid the city centre or to leave the area.” The German protests were organised by the campaign group "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. German authorities said Saturday's demonstrations had been largely peaceful, but warned of attempts by extremist groups to exploit the movement. “We are here today to fight for peace and freedom, rather than for war and coercion,” Gen Z regelt spokesperson Lina Friedrich said in Berlin on Saturday. “What matters most to us is better support for the health and education systems. We are against compulsory military service and we are in favour of a fairer distribution of the burden.” There were also further protests in France on Saturday night, in the third consecutive weekend of demonstrations. French police fired tear gas and baton-charged crowds after being targeted with firebombs, as hundreds of thousands marched across the country. Demonstrators hurled Molotov cocktails, fireworks, and cobbles at security lines in Paris and Lyon, with some participants dressed as superheroes, clowns, witches, and monsters amid ongoing Halloween events. Four police officers and one gendarme were injured in Paris, where an incendiary device was thrown directly at security forces, prompting riot squads to launch counter-charges to clear perimeter streets. The French interior ministry said at least 290 people were detained nationwide on Saturday. It estimated that around 320,000 people took part in demonstrations across the country. Authorities deployed some 70,000 police officers and gendarmes nationwide to head off a repeat of previous riots, barring marches from commercial city centres and pushing Paris rallies to the capital's eastern periphery. French interior minister Laurent Nuñez warned earlier in the day of a “very high risk” of coordinated violence, stressing that Halloween disguises would not be accepted as an excuse to disguise faces or attack officers. While daytime marches led by trade unions and high school students remained largely peaceful, tensions escalated sharply as darkness fell. In eastern Paris, scuffles broke out along the edges of the march as splinter groups broke away from the main column to construct barricades and pelt security units with paving stones. In Toulouse, police deployed water cannons against an unauthorised demonstration that drew thousands of mostly young protesters into the streets. Officers responded across several cities with volleys of tear gas, stun grenades, and baton charges to push crowds back from restricted avenues. Hard-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon joined the demonstration in Paris, accusing president Emmanuel Macron’s government of “taking an increasingly authoritarian turn” in its policing of public dissent. Ahead of the evening rallies, shopkeepers across the capital barricaded their businesses with plywood boards. “Everyone is staying home. No one is going to come and buy anything,” said Wael Boubaker, a cafe worker in eastern Paris who shuttered his premises before the march arrived. The unrest follows two previous weekends of rioting sparked by student walkouts over dilapidated school infrastructure, teacher shortages, and university admissions, which quickly broadened into nationwide rage over soaring inflation and economic inequality. The French mobilisations coincided with unrest across European borders. Clashes also continued in the Albanian capital of Tirana, while police in Barcelona and northern Italian cities remained on high alert over social media calls for coordinated student demonstrations. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments