Merkel slams PEGIDA movement

Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged Germans to turn away from the right-wing anti-Islam and immigration movement PEGIDA, calling its members racists full of hatred.

Merkel made the remarks on Tuesday in the pre-released copy of her New Year address, adding Germany must welcome people escaping conflict and war.

The so-called Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamization of the Occident (PEGIDA) has been organizing weekly rallies in the eastern city of Dresden.

“So I say to all those who go to such demonstrations: do not follow those who have called the rallies. Because all too often they have prejudice, coldness, even hatred in their hearts,” she said.

On December 25, German President Joachim Gauck called for sympathy and openness toward the refugees in the country.

On December 22, German Federation of Industry (BDI) President Ulrich Grillo said that the country’s interests and values were being undermined by PEGIDA.

SRK/MHB/AS

Source Article from http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/12/31/392540/germanys-merkel-slams-pegida-movement/

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