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UPDATE: The mayor of Utrecht said it will be forbidden for Pegida to gather at the Neude and then march through the center of Utrecht. He redirected Pegida to the Hogelandsepark. Keep an eye on the website for the latest updates!!
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On Sunday 8 November the rightwing extremist group Pegida will try to demonstrate for the second time in Utrecht. Their first attempt on the 11th of October was massively disturbed by counter actions and this time as well, we will not allow Pegida to take any space! Join us and make a stance against racism and islamophobia!
Violent neonazis
Pegida is the new version of “eigen volk eerst” (“own people first”). The group has been founded in Germany in 2014 and ever since it is known as a hot spot for neonazis and fascist activists. Ever since they started, notorious neonazis – among them convicted terrorists – have participated in Pegida demonstrations. In December Pegida members attacked thirty migrants after a demonstration. Pegida still welcomes these people to their demonstrations.
On Sunday 11 October Pegida tried for the first time to take to the streets in the Netherlands. Their political line was clear rightaway: Tommy Robinson, founder of the English Defense League (EDL), speeched. EDL demonstrations often resulted in violence. Robinson himself has been arrested multiple times and since September he’s suspected to have attacked a Muslim.
German Pegida founder and leader Lutz Bachmann tried to spread his racist ideas in Utrecht. He has always been controversial because of his criminal background and because he thinks it is appropriate to pose as a fascist mass murderer.
And then there is Edwin Wagensveld, who is trying to set up Pegida in the Netherlands. The controversial trader in illegal weapons is known as a Nazi friend and he is the one who tries to organize the demonstration in Utrecht.
The other founder of Pegida Netherlands, Raffie Chohan of the Dutch Defence League, is subject of criminal investigation as we speak, because of her insane statements during the manifestation of the 11th of October.
Despite all this the group still tries to present itself as a moderate, non-violent group of concerned citizens. On their Facebook page they claim to be against violence, but that’s an attempt to keep up appearances for the media. Even though the organisers claim not to accept hateful language, their Facebook page turns out to be an open platform for outright racism, xenophobia and islamophobia.
During their manifestation, the image of non-violence was scattered immediately, as violent hoologans attacked protestors holding a banner.
And no matter how hard Pegida tries to make believe that they have nothing to do with rightwing extremist and neo-nazi groups, their followers made it quite clear:
Pegida fans: explicitly neo-nazi
No fascists in Utrecht!
Pegida is a typical extreme-right attempt to create an image of fear of migrants and Muslims. In reality it is groups like Pegida who are the real danger for an open and inclusive society. In Germany, where Pegida has manifested itself successfully, racist and xenophobe violence has become a common thing: this year alone there has been an attack on migrants almost each day, ranging from graffiti texts to arsons and physical attacks on persons. (here, here, here, here, here, here and here)
We will not let this happen here! We accept no fascists in Utrecht! We stand for a city where people are welcome regardless of their skin colour, ethnic background or religion. This means a city where extreme-right will not be accepted. That is why, once again on the 8th of October, we will frustrate, disturb and block Pegida, not allowing them a single inch as space! For this we need your help! Invite your friends and join in the blockade. Together we will make a strong stance against racism, islamophobia and extreme-right violence.
