LONDON -- Pegida, a far-right German organisation against the so-called "Islamisation of the West" were outnumbered by counter demonstrators Saturday at its first major demonstration held in Britain.
Pegida, which stands for “patriotic Europeans against the Islamisation of the west”, held the demonstration in Newcastle city centre, but found itself countered by an umbrella group of called Newcastle Unites, made up of trade unions, politicians and fans of Newcastle United Football Club among others.
The Pegida demonstration was joined by members from other British far-right groups, the English Defence League and National Front.
About 200 EDL, National Front and Pegida supporters turned out. They arrived at 9am this morning at Union Rooms pub— Owen Sheppard (@owen_sheppard) February 28, 2015
#NewcastleUnites organisers claiming 1, 000+ in attendance today pic.twitter.com/PPSS3ZHFu9— Chris Stokel-Walker (@stokel) February 28, 2015
There was a heavy police presence, but except for some minor scuffles, the Pegida demonstration was mostly peaceful:
Police lines in place #pegida #newcastle pic.twitter.com/ivx4UxbOss— Chris Knight (@C_M_Knight) February 28, 2015
skirmishes here https://t.co/JZGQozbCyi— Chris Stokel-Walker (@stokel) February 28, 2015
National Front flag bearer at #pegida Newcastle protest: says he's against immigration pic.twitter.com/lr4P9yBIQb— Chris Stokel-Walker (@stokel) February 28, 2015
Police holding #pegida protesters back pic.twitter.com/kaKHrs6HmR— Chris Knight (@C_M_Knight) February 28, 2015
But Newcastle and the UK said no:
#nopegida is now trending in United Kingdom http://t.co/ovClDGZAhI— Trendsmap UK (@TrendsUK) February 28, 2015
The demonstrations took place very close to one another:
View from above shows how close rival demos are. Ahead is #Pegida, below is #newcastleunites #newcastle pic.twitter.com/RvcP2KVKNN— Lucy Taylor (@lucytaylor) February 28, 2015
#NewcastleUnites to the left of me, #Pegida to the right... pic.twitter.com/yZFOAa398g— Michael Brown (@mjeffbrown) February 28, 2015
There was a carnival atmosphere at the Newcastle Unites march.
This is Newcastle's response to hatred visiting our city. A video posted by adrian (@intermole) on Feb 28, 2015 at 3:15am PST
City of #Newcastle is united against racism today #NewcastleUnites pic.twitter.com/tNhadsae19— sunildvr (@sunildvr) February 28, 2015
#newcastleunites rally from above pic.twitter.com/Qv1XacLIbD— Lucy Taylor (@lucytaylor) February 28, 2015
VIDEO: "Say no to xenophobia" gets a rousing cheer at the #NewcastleUnites march pic.twitter.com/VC37lqgJ9Q— Michael Brown (@mjeffbrown) February 28, 2015
now chanting "we are black, we are white, we are United" https://t.co/Oz6jdgGIab— Chris Stokel-Walker (@stokel) February 28, 2015
"Say it loud, say it clear, Pegida are not welcome here!" Fantastic atmosphere. #NewcastleUnites pic.twitter.com/phZz7BnNLm— J. Ali (@junayed_) February 28, 2015
The marches came to an end shortly before 1 p.m. GMT.
Both demonstrations in #Newcastle city centre have now finished and all roads are open.— Northumbria Police (@northumbriapol) February 28, 2015