Thousands of PEGIDA supporters march in Dresden and other German cities

Members of the anti-Islam PEGIDA movement gathered in Dresden and Berlin on the 12 January 2015 for their weekly walk for the first time since the terrorist attacks in France. Some of the protesters carried signs 'Je suis Charlie'.

Their protest took place despite calls from senior German politicians for marchers to stay at home.

To drown out the anti-immigration voices, pro-immigration groups and other activists organised counter-demonstrations calling for tolerance and diversity. Chancellor Angela Merkel attended a protest in Berlin by Muslim organisations on the 13 January 2015. At this rally German President Joachim Gauck sent a message of reassurance to Germany's four-million-strong Muslim community saying ' we are all Germany'.

• Primary Source

EurActiv, 13.01.15: German anti-Islamist rally swells after attacks in France http://www.euractiv.com/sections/languages-culture/german-anti-islamist-rally-swells-after-attacks-france-311206

ESO: Background information: Social scientists slam PEGIDA for creating 'rift' / Germany set for new PEGIDA marches http://www.europeansources.info/record/social-scientists-slam-pegida-for-creating-rift-germany-set-for-new-pegida-marches/

BBC News, 12.01.15: Pegida marchers in Dresden defy Germany politicians http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30777841

The Local.de, 12.01.15: 'Islam belongs to Germany': Merkel http://www.thelocal.de/20150112/merkel-islam-belongs-to-germany-turkey

ESO: Background information: Paris welcomes world leaders for mass unity rally, under high security http://www.europeansources.info/record/paris-welcomes-world-leaders-for-mass-unity-rally-under-high-security-unprecedented-turnout-at-unity-march-brings-paris-to-a-standstill/

Deutsche Welle, 12.01.15: Merkel to join rally for an 'open and tolerant Germany' in Berlin http://dw.de/p/1EIsW

The New York Times, Big Anti-Immigration Rally in Germany Prompts Counterdemonstrations http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/13/world/europe/big-anti-immigration-rally-in-germany-prompts-counterdemonstrations.html

Euronews, 12.01.15: Anti-Islamisation rallies in Dresden and other German cities http://www.euronews.com/2015/01/12/anti-islamisation-rallies-in-dresden-and-other-german-cities/

Deutsche Welle, 12.01.15: Record turnout at Dresden PEGIDA rally sees more than 25,000 march http://dw.de/p/1EJDo

Spiegel Online International, 12.01.15: Prying into Pegida: Where Did Germany's Islamophobes Come From? http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/origins-of-german-anti-muslim-group-pegida-a-1012522.html

BBC News, 13.01.15: Who goes to German Pegida 'anti-Islamisation' rallies? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30776182

EurActiv, 14.01.15: Merkel vows to fight intolerance at Berlin rally http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/merkel-vows-fight-intolerance-berlin-rally-311246

The Local.de, 14.01.15: Gauck tells Muslims 'we are all Germany' http://www.thelocal.de/20150114/gauck-tells-muslims-we-are-all-germany

The Guardian, 13.01.15: Merkel pledges to stand against intolerance as she joins Muslim rally http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/13/merkel-muslim-rally-berlin-intolerance-attacks

BBC News, 13.01.15: German leaders attend Muslim community rally http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30798534

EurActiv, 15.01.15: Germany’s anti-Islam protests conceal larger political dilemma http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/germanys-anti-islam-protests-conceal-larger-political-dilemma-311282

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

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