Thousands of people, including members of Generation Z and older generations, gathered in cities across Saxony to protest against current political policies in Germany.

On Saturday, protests organized by the ‘Gen Z regelt’ initiative drew significant crowds across Saxony, Germany, with over 10,000 participants taking to the streets to voice their dissatisfaction with current political policies. In Leipzig, police estimated around 7,000 demonstrators, while in Dresden, approximately 3,000 people joined the protest, according to dpa reporters, though police reported a slightly lower figure of 2,500. Chemnitz saw several hundred participants. The protests were not limited to younger generations, as many older individuals also joined the demonstrations, particularly in Dresden.

The protest in Leipzig began and concluded at Augustusplatz, with the route adjusted due to the unexpectedly high turnout, which exceeded the registered number of 2,500 participants. While the demonstrations were largely peaceful, isolated incidents of pyrotechnics and masked individuals were reported. Police documented over 80 offenses during the event. Following the protest’s conclusion, a group of up to 200 individuals caused minor disturbances in the southern part of Leipzig, including vandalism of bus stops and the erection of barricades. The situation was quickly brought under control by police intervention.

The ‘Gen Z regelt’ initiative organized protests in over 30 cities across Germany, advocating for increased funding for education, addiction support, and mental health services, as well as measures to address rising living costs, social justice, and climate protection. The movement opposes mandatory military service and expanded state surveillance. During the Dresden demonstration, participants chanted slogans such as ‘The rich want war, the youth want a future!’ and displayed banners with messages like ‘Education instead of bombs’ and ‘Young and old together against cuts to education and social services and militarization.’ A representative of the school strike movement called for another protest on November 20. Despite the isolated incidents, the demonstrations in Dresden remained peaceful throughout the day.