EDINBURGH is set to see competing demonstrations tomorrow, as far-right group Pegida aims to make its Scottish debut in the city while others have decided to stand against the group and its anti-Islamic agenda.
Meanwhile, more than 1,500 people are expected to gather in George Square to mark the United Nations’ Anti-Racism Day. The demonstration will be one of several across the UK and Ireland in cities including London, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Dublin and Cork.
In Edinburgh, more than 200 protesters are set to gather outside the Scottish Parliament to counter the UK-based wing of the German Pegida group. Pegida – Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamification of the West – has held weekly marches in Dresden since it formed in October last year. The group is slowly starting to spread throughout Europe, and last month held its first UK march in Newcastle.
Joshua Brown of Unite Against Fascism (UAF) is involved in the organisation of tomorrow’s Edinburgh counter-protest. He said it was important for people to make their opposition to groups such as Pegida known.
“The so-called Pegida is just a rebranding of groups such as the failed BNP, the SDL and Britain First,” he said. “Pegida is trying to play on the unfortunate feeling of Islamophobia to build numbers, but within those numbers there are fascists in the ranks.
"While we would protest against Islamophobic groups anyway, this seems like a case of the far right trying to make some sort of resurgence.”
Those attending tomorrow’s counter-protest will hope to emulate Newcastle’s display – the crowds at the “Newcastle Unites” demonstration, held across the road from where Pegida were based, outnumbered them five to one, and almost drowned out the cries of division coming from the right-wing group.
Brown said: “We have been monitoring the social media activity of the so-called Pegida in Scotland to make sure we have a counter demonstration. We hope to outnumber them by 10 to one. We want to move them on by force of numbers.”
He said he would be attending the event at George Square at 10.30am before travelling to Edinburgh to join the Scottish Parliament gathering at 2.30pm.
Glasgow University student
Pinar Asku, who is involved with organising the event in the city, said: “It’s important to show that Glasgow is a diverse city and there is no space for racism here.
“Glasgow is a welcoming city and it’s good to show we oppose any form of racism and fascism in the city.”
Asku said coaches would be bringing people from all over Scotland including Aberdeen and Dundee. “I think we have handed out about 40,000 leaflets all over Scotland," he said. "So I’m hoping for big numbers.”
Scottish Government minister Humza Yousaf and human rights lawyer Aamer Amwar will both be speaking at the George Square event.
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