German Anti-Islam Group Vows That It Won’t Be Silenced

DRESDEN, Germany (AP) — A German group protesting what it calls "the Islamization of the West" is vowing that it won't be silenced after its weekly rally was canceled following an alleged terrorist threat against one of its organizers.

The planned demonstration in Dresden by PEGIDA, or Patriotic Europeans against the Islamization of the West, was scrapped and local police banned all rallies Monday after being informed of a call for attackers to kill Lutz Bachmann, PEGIDA's best-known figure.

Co-organizer Kathrin Oertel said Monday's cancellation "doesn't mean that we'll let ourselves be gagged." Bachmann says a demonstration is planned for next week.

PEGIDA's branch in Copenhagen plans to go ahead with its first march Monday.

The group has drawn widespread criticism from German politicians, but its organizers insist PEGIDA and its supporters aren't racist.