Police disbanded the procession after some began throwing stones out of the windows of nearby buildings, according to witnesses.

Afterwards, chaos ensued as investigators chased down protesters wearing masks.

According to initial police estimates, about 500 people gathered for the demonstration, and despite a ban, lit off firecrackers.

The demonstrations started after police evacuated a house occupied by a group of squatters since August 21. They are protesting against gentrification and a lack of affordable housing in the city.

The mayor of Leipzig condemned the violence.

"You don't free up space to live by attacking police officers and setting barricades on fire," said Burkhard Jung earlier on Saturday, as police bagged up cobblestones they said were thrown at them late on Friday.

The owner of the house, which was otherwise empty, filed a criminal complaint for trespassing.

The Leipzig district court then issued an eviction order.

Police evacuated the house early on Wednesday but that has seemed to move the protest from the occupied house to the street.

On Thursday, a group of about 100 people dressed in black and wearing hoods reportedly threw cobblestones and firecrackers at police in the Connewitz district.

Some garbage bins were also set alight and several trams were forced to stop due to burning barricades on the tracks.

Police used tear gas on the group and deployed a helicopter to the scene.

They have reported injuries on both nights, including eight on Friday.

There has been no news about arrests. No estimates on property damage were available.

Various groups have called for further protests to be held over the weekend.

Australian Associated Press