The News Minute | December 23, 2014 | 11.54 am ISTClose to 17,000 people on Monday turned up in the East German city of Dresden to participate in a demonstration against Islam.According to a report in the Guardian, the march on December 22 was reportedly organized by a group called the ‘Patriotic Europeans against Islamisation of the West’ who have been active since they first surfaced in October.The group, which mostly consists of elements from the right-wing have insisted that they are not ‘Nazis’ but are against the “watering down” of the Christian culture. They cite being betrayed by the political parties and being lied to by the media.The group has spawned similar factions across the country.Close to 4,500 protesters also marched the city’s streets declaring “Dresden Nazi-free” as a counter protest on Monday.Meanwhile, the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, has asked citizens to exercise caution and not resort to “rabble-rousing” while other legislators have called the group “pin-striped Nazis”.@TRobinsonNewEra 25.000 people singing Xmas songs against Islamization of Europe #pegida #dresden #islam #Germany pic.twitter.com/3lHSM2J1tN— Jen (@Jenuknowwho) December 22, 201415.000 anti Islamists turned out in Dresden in Germany big respect showing they have had enough united together pic.twitter.com/IFMC6AwLux— SCOT DEFENCE LEAGUE (@gwalker1312) December 22, 2014