Pegida march in Edinburgh falters after only '4 supporters' showed up

Pegida's first demonstration in Scotland appears to have flopped, with unconfirmed reports from the police that only four supporters turned out. The right wing anti-islam umbrella group, which originated in Germany, had planned a march and demonstration in Edinburgh on Saturday.

Supports of Pegida were set to march from Edinburgh's Waverley Station to a rally outside the Scottish Parliament with support from the Scottish Defence League.

A mass anti-racism march was held as a counter-protest, which included activists from Unite Against Fascism (UAF). UAF also held an anti-fascist march in Glasgow today.

There was some doubt as to whether the Pegida demonstration took place at all, because counter-demonstrators report that its supporters were not visible.

However, unconfirmed police reports that the demonstration did take place, despite the minimal turnout.

Images on social media of the counter-demonstration indicate that the Pegida demonstrators were outnumbered by at least 50:1.

Pegida began organising in Scotland recently and its Scottish organisers have said that they are in regular touch with German members, who offer support and advice.

Earlier this month a spokesman from Pegida Scotland said a group of organisers had hoped to visit Berlin soon to attend a rally to "see how it's done there" and "get some ideas".

In a Facebook post on 18 February the group said: "We have now put together a fantastic team, we hope you will be a little patient… Our mission is simple… rid our island of Islam."

A Pegida demonstration in Newcastle last month attracted 400 supporters. However, around 2,000 counter-demonstrators also turned out.

There have been mounting concern by some European governments about the rise of Pegida following a number of mass rallies. A march in Dresden, Germany, on 12 Jan, called five days after the Charlie Hebdo terror attacks in Paris, attracted 25,000 participants - the high water mark to date of support for the group.

A march in Dresden, Germany, on 12 January, called five days after the Charlie Hebdo terror attacks in Paris, attracted 25,000 participants – the high water mark to date of support for the group.