About 1,600 people in German city of Cologne have demonstrated against an anti-Islam rally to support the Muslims' rights in the country.
Two right-wing groups held the anti-Islam rally on Saturday to oppose the building of a large new mosque in the city.
Following the anti-Islam rally, hundreds of left-wingers and members of church groups, trade unions and the Green party held a demonstration to counter the demonstration.
Cologne Mayor Fritz Schramma said the peaceful protests showed that the city is "open and tolerant," adding that Cologne was "committed when it comes to defending these values."
Leftist counter-demonstrators held banners proclaiming "Democrats stand united against right-wing radicalism, racism and agitation."
On Friday, German judges had banned plans by the rightist groups to march to the proposed site of Cologne's grand mosque, after a similar demo sparked clashes there last September.
There were about 300 people at the right-wing anti-Islam rally, according to police. Over 5,000 police officers, outfitted with water cannons and riot gear, controlled the situation.
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