Since November 2014 in Germany there are weekly demonstrations Pegida. Pegida is a German acronym for Patriotic Europeans against the Islamization of the West. Migrants, Muslims, politicians and the press are fiercely criticized by activists who regard themselves as "decent and concerned citizens'. What is the Dutch contribution to these demonstrations? How is 'Ed from Holland' as Pegida demonstrant veelvuldig de pers te woord State? What is his relationship with Geert Wilders, and what role Dutch Nazis in this whole? Kortom, How neat is actually Pegida?
"I support you wholeheartedly. Millions in Europe to support you. I'm proud of you. "Geert Wilders to Pegida protesters 25 January Dresden know. His message to the 17.000 protesters will be read by 'Ed aus Holland'. A Dutch man, German resident and a regular speaker at demonstrations Pegida.
These demonstrations will take place close to Netherlands. Given the large number PVV voters and the short travel time to Pegida meetings would expect that there are many Dutch participants. But that is not so bad. There are few individuals who sometimes participate. Op 8 December takes a small delegation from the Dutch Defence League participated in Pegida demonstration in Dusseldorf. But the most striking are still anonymous Ed and the endorsement of Wilders. Where does this statement of support from Wilders? Did he contact 'Ed aus Holland'?
Hooligans Against Salafisme
Apparently the PVV supporters in Germany is not willing to take to the streets to support their positions. Dutch radical activists feel support is apparently not called Pegida. They are present in the demonstration that can be considered as a precursor of Pegida. Onder de naam hogesa (HoGeSa) demonstrate on 26 oktober 2014 several thousand hooligans in Cologne. The rally ends in big fights with the police. There are stones, bottles and fireworks thrown at police, made the Nazi salute and shouted slogans against foreigners. Among these hooligans there is a group of about ten Dutch.
The Nazi Dutch People's Union (NVU) Together with the Autonomous Nationalists Flanders rented a bus for "an unforgettable moment and an example of how it should be here." On the Pegida demonstrations that have since taken place almost always part HoGeSa activists. Prominent activists acknowledge that HoGeSa Pegida walks with them. "The difference is", says 'Ed aus Holland' to a journalist of One Today, "They run with Pegida. And Pegida not with them. We have nothing to do with the extreme right. "
And, the secret Hooligan
Op 15 november 2014 takes second place HoGeSa demonstration, dit keer in Hannover. "Ed aus Holland 'is itself one of the participants. After HoGeSa riots in Cologne, there is no misunderstanding about the nature and purpose of this demonstration. Yet this is the 'neat' Pegida activist not prevent. He considers and acts as an activist HoGeSa, as opposed to what he calls a month later at a Today says. This participation does not seem to have any association with HoGeSa. Several German research groups state that he is moderator of the forum HoGeSa. The assertion of a Telegraph reporter that he HoGeSa from an address with the newspaper mailed strengthens this proposition.
'Ed from Holland', whose real name is Edwin Wagensveld turns out the neat, to be concerned citizen he seems. Ed is a 'secret hooligan'. An analysis of his personal facebook profile he turns to all kinds of messages from the Nazi NVU 'like'. He also has a lot of friendships with far-right Dutch activists, including a number of the most radical part of this movement. The political orientation of his facebook friends Jeroen van den Berg (Ulfhednar), Olav Schollaardt (National Socialists Netherlands) en Edwin Middeljans (Blood&Honour) leaves nothing to the imagination. When Middeljans on his profile places a photo of himself along with Stefan Wijkamp (alias de Hollandse Hitler) a neo-Nazi demonstration in Germany Remagen shows, Wagensveld place a 'like'.
Politics is not the only thing that binds Middeljans and Wagensveld. Middeljans interested in the products from Wagensveld shop 'Der Dutchman'.
Wagensveld here sells more stun guns, pepper spray and airsoft guns. His German webshop focuses strongly on the Dutch market. In the Netherlands, private ownership of such weapons offense and constitute a criminal offense, or is subject to strict legal conditions. Wagensveld appears to be an entrepreneur whose products "send discreet" and with the law- and regulations are not very particular about. A check of his clients to meet regulatory requirements is lacking in 'Der Dutchman'.
Organizes
The well-organized German neo-Nazi scene is structurally present at Pegida protests. Their presence is tolerated. Wagensveld is an example that Pegida and HoGeSa no such separate worlds as Pegida wants to believe. In an interview with a Today Wagensveld let know to sign up to a 2015 planned protest march by the far-right Pro Patria in The Hague.
The last march of Pro Patria got out of hand and appeared to consist largely of a collection of hooligans and right-wing activists. A number of them were also present at the demonstration in Cologne HoGeSa.
Wagensveld is an important person in Pegida. He brings personal neo-Nazis, Wilders and hooligans together. A coalition that we have seen around the Pro Patria march. It is therefore not surprising that Wagensveld (with his German friends?) wants to participate in the upcoming Pro Patria demonstration. What role they could play here will tell the future.
