Police arrested 90 people as protesters for and against the controversial Black Pete clashed at a traditional Dutch festival for children which critics say is racist, but that many locals defend as harmless fun in the run-up to Christmas. The event which started on Saturday in the central city of Gouda re-enacts the arrival of Saint Nicholas, bringing presents for children and helped by his sidekick Black Pete, who is invariably played by a white person with a blackened face. Sixty people were arrested for demonstrating in unauthorised areas, and 30 for disturbing the peace, during the procession attended by thousands and broadcast live on national television, police spokeswoman Yvette Verboon told the AFP news agency. Arrests were made on both sides, Verboon said amid an increasingly acrimonious and racially-charged debate in the Netherlands. State broadcaster NOS showed images of minor scuffles breaking out on the main square, where Saint Nicholas appeared on a balcony, with protesters unfurling a large banner reading Black Pete Racism. aljazeera/news/europe/2014/11/netherlands-black-pete-protest-2014111522726689370.html
Posted on: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 16:29:37 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015