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Police halt German mosque protest Street clashes erupt in Germany
(40 minutes later)
German police have banned an extreme right-wing "anti-Islamification" rally in Cologne, as it was about to begin. Thousands of left-wing demonstrators gathered to protest against an extreme right-wing rally have clashed with police in the Germany city of Cologne.
The move to stop the demonstration came after clashes with thousands of leftists, who flooded into the city to counter-protest the event. Police said about 3,000 protesters threw stones at officers, while some tried to steal their weapons.
A police spokesman said public safety was at stake after scuffles broke out. Violence erupted after the protesters tried to halt an "anti-Islamification" rally, which police eventually banned.
Police battled with leftists who say the planned rally against municipal approval for one of Europe's biggest mosques was overtly racist. The extreme-right Pro-Koeln group had sought to protest against plans to build one of Europe's biggest mosques.
The police spokesman said officers had been attacked by demonstrators who threw stones and tried to steal their weapons. The police said the decision to ban the rally was a matter of public safety.
Police responded with batons.
'Immigrant invasion''Immigrant invasion'
Some 3,000 police had been drafted in and part of the old city sealed off as authorities appealed for peaceful protests against a two-day congress called by the far-right group Pro-Koeln (Pro-Cologne). Some 3,000 police had been drafted in and part of the old city was sealed off as authorities appealed for peaceful protests against a two-day congress called by the Pro-Koeln (Pro-Cologne) group.
Pro-Koeln had hoped 1,500 people would attend Saturday's rally in the city centre to oppose the mosque and an "immigrant invasion" of Europe.
The rally was due to start at midday and opposition to the planned domed mosque, with two 55m (177ft) minarets in the city's heavily immigrant Ehrenfeld district, was to be the centrepiece of the weekend.
Those attending the congress, including far-right leaders from Belgium, Austria and Italy, were to protest against "Islamification," and voice support for Europe's "shared, 1,000-year history" and "Western values and Christian traditions".
The mosque is not due to be completed until 2009The mosque is not due to be completed until 2009
Earlier, the leftist demonstrators blocked two leaders of the Pro-Koeln movement from entering the conference venue, pursuing them as they sought refuge on a boat. Pro-Koeln had hoped 1,500 people would attend the rally in the city centre to oppose the mosque and what they say is an "immigrant invasion" of Europe.
In a speech earlier on Saturday, Cologne Mayor Fritz Schramma, whose city council gave the green light for the construction of the mosque, labelled the Pro-Koeln group "arsonists and racists" hiding under the cloak of a "citizens' movement". The municipal council has approved the building of the domed mosque, which will have two 55m (177ft) minarets, in the city's heavily immigrant Ehrenfeld district.
Germany is home to three million Muslims, who make up four per cent of the population. Far-right leaders from Belgium, Austria and Italy had come to the city for the congress.
It was due to culminate in a rally against "Islamification" and in support of Europe's "shared, 1,000-year history" and "Western values and Christian traditions".
Earlier, the leftist demonstrators blocked two Pro-Koeln leaders from entering the conference venue, pursuing them as they sought refuge on a boat.
Police say they responded with batons after left-wing protesters set fire to barricades.
In a speech earlier on Saturday, Cologne Mayor Fritz Schramma labelled Pro-Koeln "arsonists and racists" hiding under the cloak of a "citizens' movement".
Germany is home to three million Muslims, who make up 4% of the population.