Riot police have broken up far-right protesters in Cologne as they marched against Germany's open-door migration policy. The rally was held after asylum seekers were identified as suspects in assaults on women on New Year's Eve
A day of protest but also a spark for violence and disorder in Cologne.
Demonstrators took to the streets to stand up against the mass assaults on women on New Years Eve. They were joined by around 17 hundred members of the far right anti Islamic group Pegida.
One of the protester told Al Jazeera the Pegida movement was angered by the assaults.
"What happened on New Years Eve is a no go it can't happen again and we'll stand up for it and when the going gets tough us Germans will fight again for it", the protester said
Pegida's supporters were kept apart from counter left wing demonstrators there to disrupt the rally. German riot police were forced to use water cannons and make arrests as opposing protesters attacked police.
Police spokesman, Frank Scheulen says authorities were forced to intervene.
"During the march firecrackers and bottles were thrown at police. When this did not stop after the police had asked several times, the march was stopped and disbanded", he said.
Tension over the country's mass immigration policy has intensified. More than 120 women now allege they were sexually assaulted on New Years Eve. Among suspected of carrying out the attacks are 22 asylum seekers.
