The Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung reports that a Muslim woman of Syrian heritage was verbally and physically assaulted by four racists in the city of Braunschweig in Lower Saxony last week.

The 29-year-old woman, who was identifiable as a Muslim because of her headscarf and dress, was struck on the knee by a car while crossing the road. Four men, who were said to be in their early 20s, got out and proceeded to subject her to anti-Islamic abuse, while one of them grabbed her by the collar of her jacket.

At that point passers-by intervened and shouted at the men, who got back in the car and drove off. Police have appealed for witnesses to contact them.

The Braunschweig branch of the Bündnis gegen Rechts (Alliance Against the Right) issued a statement condemning the assault. It noted that that the incident took place against a background of rising far-right racist movements, with a demonstration modeled on PEGIDA’s Dresden protests due to take place in Braunschweig in January.

“The attack on the Muslim woman shows that the hatred and prejudice that is fueled by PEGIDA, HOGESA & Co., now turns into violence…. We call on all the people of Braunschweig to take a clear stand against such attacks on Muslims and other fellow human beings. Racism, nationalism, Islamophobia and incitement against refugees should have no place in this city!”

The Alliance has published a statement opposing the forthcoming BRAGIDA (“Braunschweig against the Islamisation of the West”) protest and is organising an anti-racist counter-demonstration.