Frankfurt reroutes Gen Z march away from main shopping street
Authorities ordered the protest to bypass the Zeil shopping street, organizers say. Hesse's interior ministry sees signs that violent left-wing extremists could infiltrate the rally.
Archive image · Photo: Sebastian Kasten / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
Authorities in Frankfurt changed the route of Saturday's Gen Z protest at short notice, according to organizers. The march is set to start at 2 p.m. at the Weseler Werft, follow the Main river toward the central station and then cross the city center inside the inner ring road. The Zeil shopping street will be left out, t-online reported. The rally is registered until 9:30 p.m.
Security officials expect several thousand participants, far more than the roughly 1,700 originally registered. The initiative itself says more than 12,500 people have signed up on its website. Hesse's interior ministry said it had indications that left-wing extremists with a potential for violence could infiltrate the protest. Police announced a strong presence and said they would not tolerate rioting or property damage.
State Interior Minister Roman Poseck of the Christian Democrats urged participants "to remain peaceful and clearly distance themselves from potential violent offenders." Many shops on the Zeil have boarded up their windows, and several Halloween events in the city were canceled. Protesters are demanding more money for education, affordable rents and an end to plans to bring back conscription. Organizers insist the protest is peaceful.