From a January 12 article in Junge Welt, January 12, 2015, translation by Greg Butterfield
Tens of thousands of people took to the streets against racism in several large cities in Germany on January 12.
In Leipzig on Monday evening, around 30,000 people set against a planned mobilization of PEGIDA [“Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamization of the West”] in the city. In Munich, about 20,000 people participated in a demonstration under the motto “Munich is colorful.” In a large counter-demonstration in Hanover, organizers said there were 11,000 participants.
The actions of the anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim group PEGIDA, were observed only weakly in most cities. In Dresden, where PEGIDA has its center, several thousand supporters of the anti-Islamic movement demonstrated. The police provided no initial information about the number of participants… *
In Munich, anti-Pegida protesters made banners with messages for “freedom and tolerance”.
“We are here because we do not want to leave the field to those trying to divide our society,” Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) said at the rally. “We get up, stand against any form of racism, anti-Semitism and right-wing violence” said one sign. “Let our Muslims live in peace!”, said another.
In Berlin some 4,000 people demonstrated against Pegida. They moved from the Federal Chancellery to the Brandenburg Gate…
* Associated Press and AFP each report that “25,000” people took part in the PEGIDA rally in Dresden on January 12.
See also:
Anti-Islam & pro-tolerance demonstrators take to German streets (photos, videos), in RT.com, Jan. 13, 2105
Charlie Hebdo attacks have led to the immigration issue becoming ever more acute in Germany, with equally massive rallies being held there by anti-Muslim activists and their opponents. Both sides claim to be in solidarity with the Paris massacre victims.
