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Germany: Taking a stand against xenophobia

January 28, 2015

In recent months, a group that calls itself PEGIDA, an acronym that translates as "Patriotic Europeans against the Islamization of the West", has been holding near-weekly rallies in Dresden. At the rallies, marchers wave German flags and chant xenophobic, anti-refugee, and anti-Muslim slogans. But a counter-movement is gaining ground.

https://p.dw.com/p/1ESPe

Tens of thousands of people have taken part in marches against the PEGIDA movement in cities across Germany. In many cases they far outnumber the PEGIDA protesters. Only in Dresden, have their numbers remained modest. After the recent Islamist attacks in Paris, many are concerned that PEGIDA will attract new followers, and that Germany’s Muslims will face increasing suspicion and hostility. Most German politicians and much of the German public have denounced PEGIDA.