Riot police stand guard as pedestrians disperse amid nighttime protests in Cologne, Germany

On November 1, 2026, in Friesenplatz, Cologne, Germany, @erolkulac shared a video showing riot police officers on duty amid tense nighttime demonstrations. In the video, recorded at approximately 2:10 a.m., several heavily equipped officers wearing helmets and protective uniforms stand near a street corner as blue and amber emergency lights illuminate the area. Several pedestrians can also be seen dispersing from the scene. According to reports, youth-led demonstrations organized by a group called “Gen Z Regelt” (“Gen Z sorts things out”) escalated into violent clashes with police in central Cologne during the night of October 31 and the early hours of November 1. Protesters reportedly threw fireworks, stones, and bottles at police and emergency service workers, prompting officers to use water cannons to disperse the crowds. The Cologne Police Department reported that 23 officers were injured during the deployment. The unrest also resulted in property damage, including a shattered storefront and damaged police vehicles, while several individuals were taken into custody.