German authorities are on alert after a youth protest movement announced a large-scale demonstration across the country, as unrest sparked by high school student protests in neighboring France continues to escalate.
A group calling itself "Generation Z Rises" has announced a nationwide protest in Germany on Oct. 31, according to the daily Tagesspiegel, as reported by Yonhap.
Posts circulating on social media have urged people to join the demonstration, with slogans such as "It's time to resist" and "Let's strike like the youth of France."
The organizers appear to be rallying young people around issues including the cost of living, education, youth unemployment and opposition to military conscription. Akram Zelo, who organized the protest, told the dpa news agency that demonstrators would "clearly distance themselves from any form of violence," declaring it a peaceful rally. However, some social media posts have hinted at violence, with messages suggesting that Germans should follow the lead of their French counterparts.
Authorities are increasingly tense given that student protests against conscription have been held regularly in recent months, and the planned demonstration falls on Halloween — a day that has historically been marked by violent incidents.
Officials also suspect that far-left extremist groups are behind not only the unrest in France but also the recurring student protests in Germany organized around issues such as opposition to conscription.
Florian Nath, a Berlin police spokesperson, said authorities would "closely examine whether these are legitimate student protests or whether some are exploiting the Halloween atmosphere for their own interests."
Joachim Herrmann, Bavaria's interior minister and a member of the center-right Christian Social Union, said "far-left extremists and immigrant men are clashing with police in the streets and looting Paris," adding that "every effort must be made to prevent such movements from taking hold in Germany."
France to deploy military for 'act two' of protests on Saturday
Meanwhile, France — where violent protests erupted last weekend — said it would deploy a large security force, including military personnel, ahead of demonstrations announced for Saturday, Yonhap reported.
The so-called "Yellow Vest" movement has announced a "second act" of protests for Saturday.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu told parliament that police would be deployed "en masse" for Saturday's demonstrations, according to AFP, AP and Reuters.
He again insisted that the violence had been organized and that far-left forces were behind it.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez also said the government would deploy Sentinelle forces — the military's domestic counterterrorism operation — as relief personnel for internal security units, so that "police and gendarmerie can focus on maintaining order."
Paris police announced a temporary ban on the possession of bottles or cans containing petroleum or gas, as well as fireworks, across France. Wearing protective gear such as helmets was also banned in zones near high schools and universities.
Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said 149 people were in custody as of noon Tuesday (local time). Since Saturday, 2,500 people have been arrested and more than 800 referred to prosecutors. Most were either given summary judgments or ordered to appear at a later hearing.
yul@heraldcorp.com
