Pegida

For those of you that have not heard, a few months ago there was a string of protests in Germany.  The movement is known as Pegida, which stands for Patriotische Europäer gegen die Islamisierung des Abendlandes, or Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamization of the West.  It is opposed to Muslim refugees entering Germany.  I was mildly nervous about the protests, because Dresden was the center of the movement.  In many parts of the country, the protesters were outnumbered by counterprotesters and officials turned off lights for famous monuments in opposition, but in Dresden there were crowds of 25,000.  However, the movement has since died down, especially after its founder was revealed to have neo-Nazi tendencies.

I am relieved to say that I have felt more opposition to than support for Pegida.  I have seen graffiti saying things like, "F--- Pegida" or "Refugees welcome," as well as posters supporting refugees.  However, in the 2 weeks I have been here, I have yet to see obvious support for the movement.  Today (technically yesterday, by the time I am writing this), the group I was with passed by a large demonstration in support of refugees.