Anti-Islam Protest Turns Violent
Protestors in the city of Cologne Germany took to the streets to chant, “Foreigners Go Home” and other chants led by neo-Nazi groups and members of Germany’s football hooligans. The scene turned violent as protestors lashed out at police officers who they viewed as supporting Islamic extremism by ignoring the dangers they say exist.
An estimated 2,000 protestors gathered in the town square to peacefully denounce the extreme Islamic actions of the sect known as Salafist. One of the more popular chants heard from the protestors was “Wir wollen keine!/ Salafisten-Schweine!” which translates to roughly “We don’t want any!/ Salafists pigs!”
According to one report out of Germany, a protestor who was questioned about why he participated had the following to say:
“Because we are afraid. Write this in your newspapers. There is fear in our country that militants who go around beheading innocent people will do these horrible things here, too.”
It was after the protestors began to march that things turned violent and riot police were forced to respond. No officials could explain what caused the sudden outburst of violence, but many say it was frustration with what locals say amounts to police sympathizing with Salafists. The crowds anger also turned on the German press as the protestors reportedly chanted, “Deutsche Presse! Halt die Fresse!” Or “German press, shut your mouths!”
When will these types of anti-Islam protests be seen in the United States? What happens in Europe tends to gradually make its way to the shores of America. Are the demonstrators right to feel fearful and react violently? What steps should governments take to insure the people of their country that Islamic Extremism will not bring terror to their door steps? Would you join these protests or shun them?
