PEGIDA defiant amid confusion over German asylum figures

Thousands of demonstrators protested on 6 October 2015 in Dresden against refugees and German Chancellor Angela Merkel's welcoming stance on the issue, while also expressing support for Russia. PEGIDA's controversial founder Lutz Bachmann spoke at the end of the demonstration. Mr Bachmann was charged on 2 October with inciting hatred by German prosecutors.

In the meantime, confusion remained over the size of Germany's intake of asylum seekers, following the leaking of a government report which stated around 1.5 million refugees would be taken by the country.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: German government blames Pegida for rise in crimes against refugees http://www.europeansources.info/record/german-government-blames-pegida-for-rise-in-crimes-against-refugees/

ESO: Background information: Germany is in great need of a meaningful discussion about Islamophobia http://www.europeansources.info/record/germany-is-in-great-need-of-a-meaningful-discussion-about-islamophobia/

ESO: Background information: Berlin pledges 4 billion euros to regional states for refugees http://www.europeansources.info/record/berlin-pledges-4-billion-euros-to-regional-states-for-refugees/

Euronews, 06.10.15: PEGIDA rallies against refugees in Dresden http://www.euronews.com/2015/10/06/pegida-rallies-against-refugees-in-dresden/

The Local.de, 06.10.15: Pegida ranks swell as refugee fears mount http://www.thelocal.de/20151006/pegida-ranks-swell-again-as-refugee-fears-monut

Deutsche Welle, 06.10.15: PEGIDA rallies against Merkel and migrants in Dresden http://dw.com/p/1Gj7J

BBC News, 06.10.15: German TV channel under fire over image of Merkel in headscarf http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34457224

Politico, 06.10.15: German anti-immigrant protests revive — and radicalize http://www.politico.eu/article/german-anti-immigrant-protests-revive-and-radicalize/

Deutsche Welle, 12.10.15: Right-wing PEGIDA rally draws thousands in Dresden, takes aim at Merkel http://dw.com/p/1GmzU

The Local.de, 13.10.15: Pegida: Merkel 'Europe's most dangerous woman' http://www.thelocal.de/20151013/pegida-merkel-europes-most-dangerous-woman

Deutsche Welle, 19.10.15: DW reporter Jaafar Abdel Karim attacked at PEGIDA rally http://dw.com/p/1Gqhh

Deutsche Welle, 20.10.15: Germany's government calls out 'insufferable' PEGIDA http://dw.com/p/1Gqv3

Deutsche Welle, 21.10.15: What it's like to report from a PEGIDA demonstration http://dw.com/p/1GsDe

---