Pegida

As many as 60,000 people are expected to attend the rally, in what could be one of the biggest protests in the eastern German city since pro-democracy marches a quarter-century ago.

Chancellor Angela Merkel was among those who attended the event organized by two Muslim groups. The event was meant to counter growing support for a group that opposes Muslim immigration to Germany.

The protest in Dresden drew about 25,000 people who are against what they see as the "Islamization of Europe." Their rally was met by counterdemonstrations.

A group calling itself PEGIDA has protested since October against Germany's asylum and immigration policies. The German political and public mainstream has responded sharply.