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Monday 31 Aug 2015 - 10:00 Makkah mean time-16-11-1436
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Dresden, Germany (IINA) - Rejecting neo-Nazis protests, thousands of Germans took to the streets of Dresden, deemed a stronghold for anti-immigration group, to send an out-loud message against xenophobia, news agencies reported.
Organized by Anti-Nazi Alliance, the protest drew some 5000 people, though this figure has been contested by police forces who said that only 1000 people took part in the protest.
Holding a huge banner that reads “Prevent the pogroms of tomorrow today”, the crowds marched peacefully through the eastern city under the watch of police in riot gear, AFP reported on Saturday. “Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here,” they chanted. Dresden is the stronghold of the anti-Islam Pegida movement.
Recently Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned of the damage that Pegida's "xenophobic and racist slogans and placards" were having on Germany's image abroad.
The anti-Islam protests have been condemned by Ulrich Grillo, the president of the German federation of industry, for undermining the country’s interests and values. Offering support for the Muslim community, German Chancellor Angela Merkel attended a vigil for tolerance in Berlin two weeks ago, in a clear message against rising anti-Islam, far-right group Pegida.
Late in December, 2014, Merkel urged people in her New Year's speech to help refugees fleeing conflicts, telling them to turn their backs to the “racist”, “full of hatred” anti-Muslim movement. The protest followed an arson attack last week in which a planned refugee center near Berlin was set in flames, reflecting increasing xenophobia as the country braces to host a record 800,000 asylum seekers.
SM/IINA
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