A demonstration in Berlin was prematurely stopped by police due to incidents involving stone-throwing and the use of pyrotechnics.

On the evening of October 12, 2023, Berlin police intervened to halt a demonstration that began at Rosenthaler Platz and was set to conclude at the S-Bahn station Prenzlauer Allee. The protest, titled ‘Gen Z has had enough!’, was stopped near Diesterwegstraße in Prenzlauer Berg after participants threw stones at police officers and ignited pyrotechnics. Police spokesperson Julia Scholz confirmed that the decision to end the protest early was made in coordination with the event organizers. Several participants were temporarily detained, and the majority of the demonstration dispersed shortly after 8:00 PM, restoring calm to the area.

The protest, which initially gathered around 700 people near Hackesche Höfe, grew to approximately 3,000 participants as it progressed. While the demonstration was associated with nationwide youth protests, it was not officially part of the ‘Gen Z Regulates’ initiative, which had organized a peaceful rally earlier in the day at the Brandenburg Gate. The evening protest, however, was marked by heightened tensions from the outset, with many attendees dressed in dark clothing and wearing masks. The police noted the presence of individuals from the pro-Palestinian scene and categorized the event as being organized by groups from the left-wing spectrum.

Throughout the day, Berlin police deployed approximately 1,500 officers across the city to manage various demonstrations. In response to the evening protest, the police issued a statement on social media urging participants to remain peaceful, avoid using pyrotechnics, and distance themselves from violent individuals. Despite the initial unrest, the situation was fully under control by 8:00 PM, according to police reports.