Anti-Islamisation Protest In Newcastle

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Some 400 demonstrators have taken to the streets of Newcastle to protest against "the Islamisation of Europe" in the first British demonstration organised by the PEGIDA group.

The movement was formed in Germany last year and has held regular marches there calling for a restriction in Muslim immigration and the preservation of German culture.

Its German acronym means Patriotic Europeans against the Islamisation of the West.

On its Facebook page, the group said: "We would like to remind everyone that this will be a peaceful rally where people from all walks of life will gather together to unite against extreme Islam, nothing else.

"We all have one main aim and that is to protect our British values and our culture."

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Gallery: The Rise Of The Right-Wing, Anti-Islam Political Group

Pegida was founded in Dresden, Germany, in October 2014 when 350 people attended a demonstration against what they called the "Islamification" of Europe

Many dismissed the political organisation as just another far-right movement, but in January 2015, 25,000 joined a march in the city

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The group hold weekly protests in Dresden calling for tougher immigration laws, specifically for Muslims. It wants Germany to pass tighter restrictions, similar to Australia and Canada

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The protests have spread to other cities around Germany, as well as Oslo, Copenhagen and Vienna (pictured)

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Pegida was founded by Lutz Bachmann, a PR executive from Dresden, who was angry at plans to build a number of refugee centres in the city.

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A few hundred yards away an estimated 2,000 counter protesters carrying banners declaring opposition to facism, Islamaphobia and racism shouted insults behind lines of police.

MP George Galloway, who was at the rally to protest against it, branded PEGIDA supporters "right-wing nutters".

PEGIDA demonstrators gave speeches from a podium in the city centre while the song "There Will Always Be An England" played from large speakers.

One supporter said: "This is about the problems that are going on in this nation.

"Muslims are not integrating into our society; they want their own laws but we don't want that."

Another supporter was seen carrying the flag of the Greek Golden Dawn party, which has also campaigned against Muslim immigration into southern Greece and Athens.

Mr Galloway said: "It is absolutely extraordinary that a German organisation sets up in the UK - it's not as if there is a lack of right-wing nutter organisations here.

"They have got to be opposed, wherever they are."

Northumbria Police planned a major operation to keep the busy city centre safe for everyone, including football fans ahead of Newcastle United's game against Aston Villa.

But fears of widespread trouble did not materialise.

There were only minor scuffles as police tried to keep both sides apart.

Police said there were five arrests for isolated incidents, and both events passed off smoothly.

It is unclear which sides those who were arrested are from.

The alleged offences range from assault, to being drunk and disorderly and breach of the peace.

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