http://www.platformtegenvreemdelingenhaat.nl/archief/vluchtelingen-welkom-racisme-niet/

English

Many people are presently fleeing terrible wars, poverty and oppression, however, Pegida is abusing this tragedy to sow hate and fear against entire communities. They are calling for a demonstration on February 6 in Amsterdam against the ‘Islamization of Europe’. This is taking place in the same month that we commemorate the February strike, 75 years ago.

The smear campaign against refugees has already resulted in hate graffiti, arson and attacks against refugee centers and municipal council meetings. Such sowers of hate exploit individual incidents in order to portray all refugees as being dangerous.

In contrast, a large majority of the population considers that also here in the Netherlands, we can and must contribute to providing a safe haven for refugees. Throughout the Netherlands, thousands of people helped to collect supplies or offered to assist refugees as a volunteer.

But unless we raise our voices against the hate and racism which organizations such as Pegida are spreading, we would permit their ideas to gain ground and poison our society.
We therefore call for a multi-cultural demonstration on February 6 in Amsterdam, in order to counter their voices. We do not want hate in our streets. A different political course is possible: a course which brings people together instead of setting communities up against each other.

Arabic