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This is an archive article published on February 28, 2015

German-based anti-Islam group holds first rally in England

Police said on Saturday that about 375 people joined the PEGIDA rally in Newcastle.

anti-Islam group, PEGIDA, Newcastle, counter-demonstration Newcastle Unite members protest in Newcastle city center on Feb. 28, 2015, against the first rally in Britain from the anti-Islam group Pegida. (Source: AP)

The German-based anti-Islam group PEGIDA has held its first rally in Britain, sparking scuffles as police tried to keep the group away from counter-demonstrators. Five people have been arrested.

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Police said Saturday that about 375 people joined the PEGIDA rally in Newcastle, 290 miles (465 kilometers) north of London. About 2,000 people joined the counter-demonstration.

Police say the arrests were isolated and the event was largely peaceful.

The leader of the Liberty GB political party Paul Weston told the gathering that Muslims will become a majority in Britain in the coming decades and will “take over” the country.

anti-Islam group, PEGIDA, Newcastle, counter-demonstration Newcastle Unite members protest in Newcastle city center on Feb. 28, 2015, against the first rally in Britain from the anti-Islam group Pegida. (Source: AP)

The anti-Islam group appears to have lost momentum in Germany with the number of people attending its rallies dropping in recent months.

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