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| UK Pegida rally met with thousands at counter-protests in Newcastle | |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| Five people have been arrested at an anti-Islam protest rally in Newcastle. | Five people have been arrested at an anti-Islam protest rally in Newcastle. |
| The demonstration was organised under the banner of the German anti-Islam group Pegida and was attended by around 375 people, according to police. | The demonstration was organised under the banner of the German anti-Islam group Pegida and was attended by around 375 people, according to police. |
| The march was faced down by a much larger 2,000-person counter-demonstration organised by the Newcastle Unites group, with police keeping the two groups apart. | The march was faced down by a much larger 2,000-person counter-demonstration organised by the Newcastle Unites group, with police keeping the two groups apart. |
| A steward on the protest told the Press Association news agency that there had been a “brief scuffle” between members of far-right groups which had damaged the march’s public address system. | A steward on the protest told the Press Association news agency that there had been a “brief scuffle” between members of far-right groups which had damaged the march’s public address system. |
| Banners included those of far-right groups including the National Front Alleged offences of those arrested included assault, being drunk and disorderly, and breach of the peace, Northumbria Police said. | Banners included those of far-right groups including the National Front Alleged offences of those arrested included assault, being drunk and disorderly, and breach of the peace, Northumbria Police said. |
| The Pegida movement originated in Germany and its name is an acronym for “Patriotic Europeans against the Islamisation of the West”. | The Pegida movement originated in Germany and its name is an acronym for “Patriotic Europeans against the Islamisation of the West”. |
| It held a rally in Dresden last month attended by 25,000 people attended a rally but its leadership has since faced scandal. | It held a rally in Dresden last month attended by 25,000 people attended a rally but its leadership has since faced scandal. |
| It is not clear to what extent the protest, which was organised on Facebook, had the blessing of the German leadership of Pegida. | It is not clear to what extent the protest, which was organised on Facebook, had the blessing of the German leadership of Pegida. |
| Banners at the protest featured far-right insignia including that of the National Front party. | Banners at the protest featured far-right insignia including that of the National Front party. |
| In a statement on Wednesday night the Newcastle United Football Club supporters group made it clear that far-right protesters were not welcome in Newcastle, saying the city was “famous for its tolerance, integration and warmth of spirit”. | In a statement on Wednesday night the Newcastle United Football Club supporters group made it clear that far-right protesters were not welcome in Newcastle, saying the city was “famous for its tolerance, integration and warmth of spirit”. |
| The counter-demonstration against the Pegida protest was far larger Respect MP George Galloway spoke at the counter-demonstration’s rally, arguing that the anti-Islam protest was trying to “stir up trouble”. | The counter-demonstration against the Pegida protest was far larger Respect MP George Galloway spoke at the counter-demonstration’s rally, arguing that the anti-Islam protest was trying to “stir up trouble”. |
| “All right-thinking people in Britain condemn the idea of a German Nazi group coming to the North East of England trying to stir up trouble,” he said. | “All right-thinking people in Britain condemn the idea of a German Nazi group coming to the North East of England trying to stir up trouble,” he said. |
| “The vast majority of British people respect that and the people who are on here on the counter-demonstration are representing millions.” | “The vast majority of British people respect that and the people who are on here on the counter-demonstration are representing millions.” |
| Newcastle Chief Superintendent Laura Young said: “Both demonstrations passed without any problems and I'd like to thank people in Newcastle for their cooperation and support throughout. | Newcastle Chief Superintendent Laura Young said: “Both demonstrations passed without any problems and I'd like to thank people in Newcastle for their cooperation and support throughout. |
| “The vast majority of those that took part in today's events were peaceful and both groups stuck to their agreed times, routes and plans.” | “The vast majority of those that took part in today's events were peaceful and both groups stuck to their agreed times, routes and plans.” |