Nearly 2,000 people protested on Saturday in the German city of Frankfurt against a march held by the far-right Anti-Islam movement known as PEGIDA.
Approximately 200 PEGIDA members gathered in Frankfurt’s Rossmarkt Street and chanted against Islam and migrant communities.
Simultaneously, 2,000 protesters held demonstrations in different parts of the city against the group. German police took measures to prevent the two groups from clashing during the marches, World Bulletin reported.
PEGIDA opponents chanted, “Migrants will be welcomed in Frankfurt” and “Nazis out of Frankfurt.” Some political parties and leftist groups also supported the protest.
Some protesters and police officers sustained injuries during the protest, and police detained several people.
Germany, home to millions of Muslim immigrants, is experiencing debates about multiculturalism. Although the country’s leaders are calling for raising the level of integration for migrant families, opponent movements are taking place.
Meanwhile, police arrested at least 140 people at a major demonstration in Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava, where thousands of right-wing protesters gathered to rally against the inflow of migrants from Africa and the Middle East.
The protest turned violent as demonstrators clashed with police, with some participants reportedly throwing stones and smoke bombs, and law-enforcement officers who responded with tear gas.
