Politics · Germany · 10 hrs ago
NRW minister warns future protests could be banned if violence is expected
North Rhine-Westphalia Interior Minister Herbert Reul warned that future demonstrations could face restrictions or bans if authorities have concrete signs of renewed violence.
Thousands of young people had marched on Saturday, mostly peacefully, calling for better education and climate action and opposing the return of conscription.
Clashes broke out near a gathering in Cologne, where police were attacked and officers used water cannons; other protests also saw unrest in Frankfurt, Hamburg and Berlin.
Reul said authorities should examine who is organising protests and where violence might happen, while stressing that young people must be able to demonstrate peacefully.
A police union leader called for tougher penalties for attacks on police, looting and arson.
The group Gen Z Regelt plans to continue protesting and has said it will join demonstrations across Europe on November 20.
North Rhine-Westphalia Interior Minister Herbert Reul said authorities should consider restrictions, including a ban, on future demonstrations if there are concrete indications of further violence.
Reul made the warning after violence at protests over the weekend, including clashes in Cologne.
Several thousand young people had demonstrated, mostly peacefully, for better education and climate protection and against the return of compulsory military service.
Police used water cannons in Cologne, while disturbances were also reported in Frankfurt, Hamburg and Berlin.
The “Gen Z regelt” initiative said it planned to join Europe-wide demonstrations on November 20.
- Who
- North Rhine-Westphalia Interior Minister Herbert Reul issued the warning.
- What
- He said authorities should consider restrictions, including banning demonstrations, if there are concrete indications of further violence.
- When
- Reul made the warning after protests over the weekend. The article was published on November 2, 2026.
- Where
- The warning concerns future demonstrations in North Rhine-Westphalia; violence was reported in Cologne and other German cities.
- Why
- Reul cited violence at recent protests, including attacks on police.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Several thousand young people, mostly peacefully, demonstrated for better education and climate protection and against the return of compulsory military service.
Reul warned that authorities should consider restrictions, including bans, if there were concrete indications of further violence.
The “Gen Z regelt” initiative said it planned to join Europe-wide demonstrations.
- Minister
- Herbert Reul, North Rhine-Westphalia interior minister
- Potential response
- Restrictions up to and including a demonstration ban
- Protest turnout
- Several thousand young people
- Cities reporting disturbances
- Cologne, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Berlin
- Planned demonstrations
- Europe-wide protests on November 20
What people are saying
If there are concrete indications of further violence, we must consider restrictions, up to and including a ban.
Stones and firecrackers are not arguments.
Anyone who attacks police with them puts people at risk.
Anyone who takes part in attacks on police officers, loots shops or starts fires as part of a violent mob must know that a substantial prison sentence is mandatory for this.