Pegida is only the latest in a long line of German far-right movements to mobilise against Islam

A large number of rallies have been held in Germany over recent months by the ‘Pegida’ movement (Patriotic Europeans against the Islamisation of the West). Nitzan Shoshan notes that while Pegida have made headlines across the world, they are by no means the first far-right movement in Germany to protest against immigration and Islam. He writes that the experiences of previous far-right groups provide some insights on the potential harm that such movements can cause in local communities.

On the 28 January 2015 PEGIDA cancelled its next public demonstration planned for 2 February 2015 amid the resignations of several key leaders in the movement.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Anti-Islamist PEGIDA rally in Dresden called off after threat http://www.europeansources.info/record/anti-islamist-pegida-rally-in-dresden-called-off-after-threat/

Deutsche Welle, 19.01.15: Right-wing anti-Islamist PEGIDA movement is losing steam, says study http://dw.de/p/1EMxP

Deutsche Welle, 28.01.15: PEGIDA cancels demonstration amid leadership exodus http://dw.de/p/1ESP9

BBC News, 28.01.15: Germany Pegida: Leader Kathrin Oertel quits protest group http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31018097

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