Clashes in Copenhagen despite low turnout at PEGIDA rally

Barely 200 turned up in the capital, and even fewer at two marches in Jutland

The organisers of marches by the Danish branch of the German organisation PEGIDA (Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the West) on Monday have pledged to hold them every week despite threats from anti-fascist groups.

Marches took place in Copenhagen, Aarhus and Esbjerg, although the turnout in the capital was the only one that managed to attract reasonable numbers – an estimated 200 in total.

As expected, the march in the capital was not without incident. Despite PEGIDA's claims that it opposes violence and racism and supports freedom of expression, counter-demonstrations were held by anti-fascist groups, and there were clashes despite the police's efforts to keep them apart.